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An odd question that came to my mind.
August 9, 2010 at 4:34 am
Hypothetically speaking of course.
It's absolutely random what will be behind the door by the way - completely equal chance that it will be one thing or another.
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RE: An odd question that came to my mind.
August 9, 2010 at 6:06 am
If all possibilities are equal, and the places range from absolute paradise to absolute torture, then half the places are on the "paradise" side (ranging from minimally paradise to absolute paradise) and half the places are on the "torture" side (ranging from minimally torture to absolute torture).
So the question really boils down to whether you want to take a 50:50 risk. I'm not that kind of guy, especially when I have a pretty good life as it is.
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RE: An odd question that came to my mind.
August 9, 2010 at 6:21 am
I think that I prioritize minimization of suffering over increasing pleasure so I also wouldn't take the risk either. Despite the fact I consider myself a curious person.
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RE: An odd question that came to my mind.
August 9, 2010 at 8:19 am
What's my motivation? Is this just a door I'm happening across with a sign that describes it as you have?
Or like on 'Let's make a deal' do you hand me $500 and then ask if I want to keep the $500 or trade for whats behind the door?
Is it 'keep your life as is' or trade for what's behind the door? I'd have to evaluate where I considered my life to be on a scale of 1-10. If I believed I was living a life equal to a 8, I'd say no because I would think my chances of an improvement is only 2 out of 10. Only a 20% chance of improvement and a 70% chance it would be worse. (10% it would remain the same).
If I thought I had a life that rated a 3, then ya, I'd go thru the door with a 60% chance of increasing my lot in life.
I do suk at maths so if I totally screwed up the percentages I'm sure one of our resident mathematicians with sort it out for me.
I used to tell a lot of religious jokes. Not any more, I'm a registered sects offender.
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...the least christian thing a person can do is to become a christian. ~Chuck
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RE: An odd question that came to my mind.
August 9, 2010 at 8:23 am
I agree... just what is my motivation to go through this door thingy??
"The Universe is run by the complex interweaving of three elements: energy, matter, and enlightened self-interest." G'Kar-B5
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RE: An odd question that came to my mind.
August 9, 2010 at 8:28 am
Wouldn't it be a 33% chance of each outcome? Since we know that mundane and paradise do not entail the same degree of "do not want" as the torment, it is within your favor to go through, as you have a 66% chance of not having hell visit you.
This is assuming, this is really such a door, and not just a cosmic.
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RE: An odd question that came to my mind.
August 9, 2010 at 8:57 am
No I mean that from absolute torture all the way up to absolute paradise, it's all equal chance. Mundane would be exactly in-between the two. It's a continuum.
As for what's your motivator, you can decide that for yourself.
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RE: An odd question that came to my mind.
August 9, 2010 at 9:02 am
Roll the dice, ya only live once!!
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RE: An odd question that came to my mind.
August 9, 2010 at 9:12 am
I agree with Adrian. I'm pretty happy with my life, so it wouldn't be worth the risk. Now, if life totally sucked, this door might seem like a chance to change things for the better, so my choice would probably be different.