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Re: The Greatest Happiness Machine

Posted by alexandra_k on March 17, 2005, at 21:54:50

In reply to Re: Happiness, posted by alexandra_k on March 17, 2005, at 21:47:27

This is a 'thought experiment' that is supposed to have us consider whether happiness is the only thing that is desirable in itself or whether there are other things aside from happiness that are equally (if not more) important to us:

Suppose that somehow or other superbeings have created some sort of computer program that can result in your brain being stimulated in such a way that they can feed you whatever experiences would make you happiest.

This is the 'greatest happiness machine'.

The superbeings may remove your brain from your body and keep it alive in a vat of nutrients (or they may be able to care for a body in a vat too if you would prefer) and they will feed you whatever experiences would make you happiest if you choose to enter the greatest happiness machine.

If you think you would be happiest believing that you were still living in reality that can be programmed in. If you think that a little bit of disappointment or satisfaction would result in your being happier later (because of the contrast) then that can be programmed in as well.

The point is that the greatest happiness machine will result in greater happiness for you than if you were to continue living in the real world.

If you had the choice of plugging in to the greatest happiness machine forever or continuing on with your life as usual what would you choose to do?

 

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URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20050316/msgs/472295.html