🧠 The Thought Experiment Lab

Note: while there are many guests listed in the RSVP, most of these are carried over from previous events in this series. We don't expect much more than 30 to attend."Imagination without reason is mere fancy, but reason without imagination is sterile. That is partly why scientists and philosophers alike have always used imaginary scenarios to help sharpen their ideas and push them to their limits." - The Pig that Wants to be Eaten, by Julian BagginiFor this meeting (October 28), we'll be discussing arguments against utilitarianism. Please review this very brief primer on the norms of philosophical discussion: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Gj3HesfWz4A2kEAMSY0x7hNxvJZNtiCexUeilJXVak8/edit?usp=sharing It is highly recommended to read this article on objections to utilitarianism, and responses: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zFj91MeTyf1C7HPzqClnK0ofrSV2hP4b/view?usp=sharing You can additionally read this article (albeit from a more one-sided source): https://utilitarianism.net/objections-to-utilitarianism/ Some examples of topics we've discussed at past meetings: Do you survive being teleported? Is God required to have morality? What are the limits of free speech? Is it moral to breed pigs that want to be eaten? Should crimes be punished before they happen? Are there "higher" and "lower" pleasures? Do immoral people just have bad luck? Is monogamy unethical? Is the existence of evil a problem for belief in God? Should we try to become immortal?