Re: Value of Long Lives

From: hal@finney.org
Date: Fri Jun 30 2000 - 09:37:15 MDT


Robin writes:
> It is possible that your preferences are not time-consistent. That is,
> you-today and you-later are in principle two different creatures with two
> different sets of preferences. They need not agree on decisions.

Bringing to mind Emerson's famous quote:

   A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by
   little statesmen and philosophers and divines. With consistency a
   great soul has simply nothing to do. He may as well concern himself
   with his shadow on the wall. Speak what you think now in hard words
   and to-morrow speak what to-morrow thinks in hard words again, though
   it contradict every thing you said today.

Let's hear it for inconsistency!

Hal



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