Executive summary: The moral value we attribute to phenomenal consciousness is a pivotal question that could significantly shape the long-term future, especially if digital minds become prevalent.
Key points:
The value of consciousness is a controversial topic in philosophy, with divided opinions on its necessity for moral value.
Reasons to doubt consciousness is necessary for value include skepticism about its fundamental importance and the fact that we care about things beyond our direct experiences.
Future populations may consist primarily of digital minds, making the question of their moral status crucial for longtermist considerations.
If consciousness isn’t the default for digital minds, we risk either neglecting to instill it (potentially losing out on valuable lives) or overemphasizing its importance (potentially overlooking the welfare of unconscious digital beings).
The author is uncertain about the correct stance but emphasizes the importance of making this decision deliberately rather than leaving it to uninformed public opinion.
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Executive summary: The moral value we attribute to phenomenal consciousness is a pivotal question that could significantly shape the long-term future, especially if digital minds become prevalent.
Key points:
The value of consciousness is a controversial topic in philosophy, with divided opinions on its necessity for moral value.
Reasons to doubt consciousness is necessary for value include skepticism about its fundamental importance and the fact that we care about things beyond our direct experiences.
Future populations may consist primarily of digital minds, making the question of their moral status crucial for longtermist considerations.
If consciousness isn’t the default for digital minds, we risk either neglecting to instill it (potentially losing out on valuable lives) or overemphasizing its importance (potentially overlooking the welfare of unconscious digital beings).
The author is uncertain about the correct stance but emphasizes the importance of making this decision deliberately rather than leaving it to uninformed public opinion.
This comment was auto-generated by the EA Forum Team. Feel free to point out issues with this summary by replying to the comment, and contact us if you have feedback.