[ExI] circumcision again

[Anders]

On 2016-09-27 19:57, William Flynn Wallace wrote:
> It got me to thinking:  the basic objection is that it was done 
> without permission.
>
> Now I assume that many of us in this group are in favor of genetically 
> modifying embryos to eliminate undesirable traits, and perhaps even to 
> enhance desirable ones.
>
> How can you reconcile the two attitudes?

General purpose goods.

Being healthy, long-lived, intelligent etc. is good for nearly all 
plausible life projects. These general purpose goods increase the range 
of possibilities open for the person. Circumcision is something that 
does not provide a good except for a fairly narrow range of life projects.

There is also a timing issue: most of the above GPGs need to be given on 
the embryo stage for them to provide their benefits. Circumcision can be 
done later (and voluntarily).



-- 
Dr Anders Sandberg
Future of Humanity Institute
Oxford Martin School
Oxford University

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