virus: Virion Ethics (was: Virus Invades Cybernetics Conference)

David Rosdeitcher (76473.3041@compuserve.com)
Wed, 23 Sep 1998 02:08:03 -0400


Tim R. wrote:

>>The ethical question is, 'which strategies--which habits of
>>action including the action of spreading memes to others", work best for
>>surviving and reproducing?

>Islam and Christianity. (Not the answer you wanted was it?) If you want
to
>be part of a successful and effective stategy for the long term survival,
>reproduction, and spreading of memes, become a Muslim.

What I mean by survival is indefinite physical survival. Neither
Christianity nor Islam aims for that goal. What I mean by reproduction is
not just genetic (having kids), but memetic--reproduction of creative work,
and of meme-complexes that make up our personalities, etc.

>Ethics is not about what works best, that's simple Utilitarianism. Ethics
>concerns itself whith what actions are good or right or proper, even in
the
>face of seemingly limited utility or effect.

In a pragmatist system what works best, gets equated with what good, right
and proper. --David R.