I assume the argument is that neurotic people suffer more when they don’t get resources, so resources should go to more neurotic people first?
I think that’s correct in an abstract sense but wrong in practice for at least two reasons:
Utilitarianism says you should work on the biggest problems first. Right now the biggest problems are (roughly) global poverty, farm animal welfare, and x-risk.
A policy of helping neurotic people encourages people to act more neurotic and even to make themselves more neurotic, which is net negative, and therefore bad according to utilitarianism. Properly-implemented utilitarianism needs to consider incentives.
1. If pain is somehow an essential part of consciousness or well-being, then even if the x-risk is resolved, the s-risk may be a more serious problem. 2. Neuroticism is to some extent hereditary. Incentives can solve some problems, but not all.
I assume the argument is that neurotic people suffer more when they don’t get resources, so resources should go to more neurotic people first?
I think that’s correct in an abstract sense but wrong in practice for at least two reasons:
Utilitarianism says you should work on the biggest problems first. Right now the biggest problems are (roughly) global poverty, farm animal welfare, and x-risk.
A policy of helping neurotic people encourages people to act more neurotic and even to make themselves more neurotic, which is net negative, and therefore bad according to utilitarianism. Properly-implemented utilitarianism needs to consider incentives.
1. If pain is somehow an essential part of consciousness or well-being, then even if the x-risk is resolved, the s-risk may be a more serious problem.
2. Neuroticism is to some extent hereditary. Incentives can solve some problems, but not all.