[ExI] [Ethics] Consequential, deontological, virtue-based, preference-based..., ...

[Max More]

At 10:53 AM 5/21/2008, Jef wrote:
>I'm happy to see so much recent mention of bases of ethical
>decision-making by thoughtful rationalist thinkers.  Just this last
>week I've noticed Rafal, Max, Robin and Anders all resonating to the
>theme.  I suspect that in part this is due to the secret network of
>the self-declared "true" transhumanists, but that's a separate topic.

Sorry, Jef, nothing so exciting (in my case, at least). I'm not aware 
of the others discussing this issue.

>Each of these metaethical theories, when extended, arrives at
>inconsistency.  Each assumes a rational ideal, which, unrealistically,
>entails a rational homunculus at the core.

I would agree with your comment here, as applied to deontological and 
consequentialist frameworks. I'm not sure that it's true of a virtue 
ethics. Do you think it does, or were you thinking of the other two? 
(Virtue ethics does have other serious limitations.)

Max


Max More, Ph.D.
Strategic Philosopher
www.maxmore.com
max at maxmore.com