Perhaps I am thinking about this all wrong, but isn’t it the case that whether or not Z is better than A, most people would prefer a “ZA” world (Z’s population AND A’s happiness) to Z?
Therefore, the repugnant conclusion is only a problem if there is , in fact, a tradeoff between population size & happiness. However, this does not appear to be the case in a non-Malthusian world.
For instance, it seems pretty clear that we live in a “ZA” world compared to the world of only 300 years ago. Population, life expectancy and dignity all improved dramatically at the same time.
There is also no clear reason to believe that a ZA world compared to today’s world is impossible either.
If, instead of the possible, we turn to the likely, the trend appears to be that population ultimately stabilizes. As such the real world task within our lifespan should be increasing the happiness of a mostly stable population, which is about as far as you can be from a repugnant conclusion sort of dilemma.
Perhaps I am thinking about this all wrong, but isn’t it the case that whether or not Z is better than A, most people would prefer a “ZA” world (Z’s population AND A’s happiness) to Z?
Therefore, the repugnant conclusion is only a problem if there is , in fact, a tradeoff between population size & happiness. However, this does not appear to be the case in a non-Malthusian world.
For instance, it seems pretty clear that we live in a “ZA” world compared to the world of only 300 years ago. Population, life expectancy and dignity all improved dramatically at the same time.
There is also no clear reason to believe that a ZA world compared to today’s world is impossible either.
If, instead of the possible, we turn to the likely, the trend appears to be that population ultimately stabilizes. As such the real world task within our lifespan should be increasing the happiness of a mostly stable population, which is about as far as you can be from a repugnant conclusion sort of dilemma.
Yes, and the total view would bring you to that conclusion as well!
ZA>Z>A