Re: David Pizer and his Venturist Society

From: Mike Lorrey (mlorrey@datamann.com)
Date: Wed Mar 06 2002 - 13:15:47 MST


Simon McClenahan wrote:
>
> From: "Mike Lorrey" <mlorrey@datamann.com>
>
> > Simon McClenahan wrote:
>
> > > But would it be a morally right thing to do, particularly in the ethical
> > > model of Extropianism? Should the means really justify the end?
> >
> > If the only way a particular individual can accept extropy/transhumanism
> > is through a religious framework or dogma, then it is our responsibility
> > to offer such. For instance, I could easily rewrite the entire Bible
> > from the viewpoint that 'God' is a nanotechnological civilization of the
> > 'crypto-dirt' variety we've discussed of late. Presenting our ideas as a
> > necessary scientific framework for a christian's preexisting faith to be
> > plausible would be a worthwhile feat of memetic engineering.
>
> Ah yes, the old bait and switch model of ethics ... I see now ... :-)

But is it a con when the mark WANTS to be conned, any more than beating
a masochist can be considered abuse?

The golden rule is to treat others as they want to be treated, not as
you think they should be treated... from that perspective, formulating
and promulgating an extropic transhumanist theology for the use of the
religiously inclined is an ethical endeavor.

Mike Lorrey



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