Interesting statistics about academic philosophy

[robvalue]

Right. Well, I'd agree, we could analyze what actions cause pain and pleasure. But measuring wellbeing, and measuring the intentions of someone's actions is entirely a different ballgame. So I'd agree, but then I wouldn't say that is morality but just one tiny aspect of it.

[robvalue]

Hmm. Actually, finding out which actions cause the most pleasure and pain is just physics isn't it? If you scan the brain and find a way to empirically test for pleasure and pain, bob's your uncle.

Two big reasons I find objective morality nonsensical are how exactly wellbeing is measured "objectively" and how intent is disregarded. Someone telling me such and such is more important to my wellbeing than some other factor is pretty pointless if I don't agree.

Here's a silly example to make the point:

My child is born, and it's found he has a rare condition. I have two options.

(1) I do nothing. He will live as normal, but will die at the age of 10.
(2) I let the doctor give him treatment. It's a one off, and must be administered before he reaches the age of 1. He will live another 10 years, but he'll be in a certain amount of pain constantly.

Which is objectively the more moral choice? I'd say there isn't one. There is no objective way to compare lifespan and pain, as far as I'm concerned. Everyone is going to come to their own conclusions and no one can declare they are right. This is just one way in which I don't consider wellbeing objectively measurable. We could come up with a formula which gives a rough estimate, sure. But it will only ever be that.

[downbeatplumb]

Do you know what the most common answer given to a philosophy major is.
"Yes I will have fries with that"

[robvalue]

No one cares about my hypothetical baby!

Bah.

I'm not gonna give him the treatment. I will subjectively decide 10 happy years are better than 20 miserable ones.

Can anyone objectively object?

[Pyrrho]

[robvalue]

OK. Never mind then.