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I finally saw #AvengersInfinityWar. It was good.
A few thoughts on Thanos as an ethical philosopher.
A few thoughts on Thanos as an ethical philosopher.
Thanos is presented as an ethical person, acting on a theory:
1. The universe’s resources are finite.
2. Life consumes, but does not produce, resources.
3. Thus, for anyone to thrive, large numbers of people have to be killed.
1. The universe’s resources are finite.
2. Life consumes, but does not produce, resources.
3. Thus, for anyone to thrive, large numbers of people have to be killed.
Thanos’ daughter Gomorrah rejects this conclusion, arguing that “We don't know that!”
She is questioning the idea that the universe's resources are finite.
And indeed, this is often assumed to be case, but *we don't know that*.
She is questioning the idea that the universe's resources are finite.
And indeed, this is often assumed to be case, but *we don't know that*.
We can challenge Thanos' ethics in other ways.
For example, here's an alternate ethical theory:
1. Life itself is the ultimate resource.
2. Life is capable of creating new possibilities, turning few resources into many resources.
3. Thus, for anyone to thrive, we need as many unique individuals as we can get.
1. Life itself is the ultimate resource.
2. Life is capable of creating new possibilities, turning few resources into many resources.
3. Thus, for anyone to thrive, we need as many unique individuals as we can get.
This is the theory that drives the Avengers.
You might think, for example, that with a super-powerful god around, you wouldn't need a raccoon and a talking tree.
Or that someone who can shoot lasers from their hands, doesn't need someone who's good with a bow & arrow.
You might think, for example, that with a super-powerful god around, you wouldn't need a raccoon and a talking tree.
Or that someone who can shoot lasers from their hands, doesn't need someone who's good with a bow & arrow.
The #Avengers utterly reject that idea. It's the diversity of their team that allows them to take on unprecedented problems, and solve them in unanticipated ways.
As the stakes keep getting higher, they keep choosing to fight for their diversity and individuality, rather than taking what might seems to be easy strategic wins.
They act as if people are the ultimate strategic resource.
They act as if people are the ultimate strategic resource.
What's compelling about Infinity War is that it pits these two opposing philosophies against each other.
*And it doesn't tell us which one is right.*
In that way, it's just like life. “We don't know that!”—and in our ignorance, we have to make a leap of faith, and choose.
*And it doesn't tell us which one is right.*
In that way, it's just like life. “We don't know that!”—and in our ignorance, we have to make a leap of faith, and choose.
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