[ExI] Axiological Risk (was ? Risk:)

[The Avantguardian]

 ----- Original Message -----
> From: Anders Sandberg <anders at aleph.se>
> To: ExI chat list <extropy-chat at lists.extropy.org>
> Cc: 
> Sent: Saturday, March 10, 2012 8:10 AM
> Subject: Re: [ExI] Axiological Risk (was ? Risk:)
> 
>G ood point made by a colleague:
> 
> Might *not* ever developing life extension be an axiological risk?
> 
> If the benefits in value of life extension are vast, then not fulfilling this 
> possibility (assuming, uncontroversially here at least, that it is possible) 
> would mean mankind never reaches its full potential. Hence an axiological risk 
> exists in the form of failure of getting life extension.

Yes. Your friend does have a good point. I'll up the ante on him: Might *not* developing the means for self-directed evolution be an existential risk?

Allow me to phrase it another way: Might not having the ability to keep the gills we all develop and lose in the womb into adulthood pose an existential risk in a world with melting ice packs and rising sea levels? I can think of other scenarios if your friend doubts.

> It is of course an individual risk too for all of us.

Yes, the fatality rate of death is alarming. ;-)

 
Stuart LaForge


"The state that separates its scholars from its warriors will have its thinking done by cowards, and its fighting by fools." -Thucydides