I would give substantial weight to that possibility in the case of Heaven, but I wouldn’t absolutely rule out infinities 100%. I don’t think the space colonization scenario should really make you doubt your sanity much, though, and especially if the evidence we had so far never supported an end to the universe (rather than just undermining the evidence later). We can also posit a future human or agent instead and consider their POV. The most unusual experience in the space colonization scenario is the space colonization itself, not the revisions to our understanding of physics which wouldn’t really affect every day life, anyway.
The space colonization scenario doesn’t offer the possibility of infinite utility though? Just very large but finite utility?
Regardless of whether or not you think the universe is infinite, my understanding is that the part of the universe that is reachable without faster-than-light travel is still finite.
I tried to set up the space colonization scenario so that the reachable universe (from now) grows without bound over time, but could have been clearer.
Even if it is bounded, if our descendants go on forever (or have an end date that’s finite but has infinite expected value), that would still generate infinite expected utility.
Personally if I had these experiences I would think it’s much more likely that I have gone insane and that these experiences are hallucinations.
I would give substantial weight to that possibility in the case of Heaven, but I wouldn’t absolutely rule out infinities 100%. I don’t think the space colonization scenario should really make you doubt your sanity much, though, and especially if the evidence we had so far never supported an end to the universe (rather than just undermining the evidence later). We can also posit a future human or agent instead and consider their POV. The most unusual experience in the space colonization scenario is the space colonization itself, not the revisions to our understanding of physics which wouldn’t really affect every day life, anyway.
The space colonization scenario doesn’t offer the possibility of infinite utility though? Just very large but finite utility?
Regardless of whether or not you think the universe is infinite, my understanding is that the part of the universe that is reachable without faster-than-light travel is still finite.
I tried to set up the space colonization scenario so that the reachable universe (from now) grows without bound over time, but could have been clearer.
Even if it is bounded, if our descendants go on forever (or have an end date that’s finite but has infinite expected value), that would still generate infinite expected utility.