Hello Monica. I agree there would be different optima given different assumptions. The natural thing to do is to take the world as we, in fact, expect it to be—we’re trying to do ethics in the real world.
Hilary’s paper focuses on whether we are in relation to optimum population assuming a ‘business as usual’ trajectory, i.e. one whether we don’t try to change what will happen currently. You need to settle your view on that to know whether you think you want to encourage or discourage extra people from being born. And, as Hilary quite really points out, this is not a straightforward question to answer.
Hello Monica. I agree there would be different optima given different assumptions. The natural thing to do is to take the world as we, in fact, expect it to be—we’re trying to do ethics in the real world.
Hilary’s paper focuses on whether we are in relation to optimum population assuming a ‘business as usual’ trajectory, i.e. one whether we don’t try to change what will happen currently. You need to settle your view on that to know whether you think you want to encourage or discourage extra people from being born. And, as Hilary quite really points out, this is not a straightforward question to answer.
That makes sense, thanks Michael!