#321 — Reckoning with Parfit | Making Sense with Sam Harris

Intro

In this episode of “Making Sense with Sam Harris,” Sam speaks with David Edmonds, a writer and philosopher who authored the book “Parfit, a philosopher and his mission to save morality.” They discuss the life and work of Derek Parfit, one of the most interesting philosophers of our time. Parfit’s contributions to identity, time bias, population ethics, and moral truth are explored, as well as his impact on the field of philosophy. Join Sam and David as they delve into the mind of Derek Parfit and his profound insights.

Main Takeaways

Derek Parfit’s Philosophy and Contributions

• Derek Parfit was a renowned philosopher who worked on identity, time bias, population ethics, and moral truth.
• Parfit’s book “Reasons and Persons” is considered a work of genius in philosophy.
• He discovered the non-identity problem and the repugnant conclusion, which are important ethical concepts.
• Parfit’s philosophy divides people, but his ideas have had a significant impact on moral philosophy.

The Life and Psychology of Derek Parfit

• Parfit may have had signs of dementia towards the end of his life.
• He was a consequentialist, believing that what matters are the consequences of our actions.
• Parfit’s psychology, possibly on the autism spectrum, influenced his philosophy.
• He had a rich and social life in his early years but later became focused on philosophy and photography.

The Non-Identity Problem and Personal Identity

• Parfit’s thought experiment on teletransportation challenges our intuitions about identity.
• He argues that psychological continuity, not physical continuity, is what matters for personal identity.
• Parfit’s ideas on identity have implications for how we regard the past, future, and our connections to others.
• The non-identity problem raises questions about morality and harm in relation to future generations.

Population Ethics and the Repugnant Conclusion

• Parfit’s arguments in population ethics suggest that adding more good lives is better than having fewer.
• The average view in population ethics can lead to absurd conclusions and undervalue individual lives.
• The repugnant conclusion challenges our understanding of morality and the value of individual lives.
• Parfit struggled to find a solution to the repugnant conclusion throughout his life.

Summary

Derek Parfit: A Philosopher Ahead of His Time

David Edmonds joins Sam Harris to discuss the life and philosophy of Derek Parfit, a renowned philosopher known for his work on identity, time bias, population ethics, and moral truth. Parfit’s book “Reasons and Persons” is considered a masterpiece, and he made significant contributions to the field of moral philosophy. Parfit’s ideas on personal identity challenged traditional notions, emphasizing psychological continuity over physical continuity. His thought experiments, such as the teletransportation experiment, raised profound questions about our understanding of identity. Parfit’s work in population ethics, including the repugnant conclusion, sparked debates about the value of individual lives and the consequences of our actions on future generations. Despite his brilliance, Parfit’s philosophy divided people, but his ideas continue to shape the field of philosophy today.

The Mind and Life of Derek Parfit

David Edmonds delves into the psychology of Derek Parfit, suggesting that he may have had signs of dementia towards the end of his life. Parfit’s consequentialist philosophy, driven by the belief that the consequences of our actions matter most, reflected his unique psychology. While Parfit had a rich and social life in his early years, he later became focused on philosophy and photography, displaying attention to detail and perfectionism in both his work and personal life. Parfit’s meticulous process in photography, including spending thousands of pounds on touching up photographs, intrigued and baffled those around him. His relationship with Janet Radcliffe Richards, his former teacher and wife, added another layer of complexity to his life. Parfit’s psychology and philosophy intertwined, making him a fascinating and influential figure in the field of philosophy.

The Non-Identity Problem and its Ethical Implications

Parfit’s exploration of the non-identity problem challenged traditional notions of morality and harm. His thought experiment on teletransportation, which questioned our intuitions about identity, highlighted the importance of psychological continuity. Parfit argued that the body is almost irrelevant, and it is the mind that truly matters. These ideas have profound implications for how we view the past, future, and our connections to others. The non-identity problem raises complex ethical questions, particularly regarding our obligations to future generations. Parfit’s insights suggest that harm to a particular individual is not the sole basis of morality, and policies like climate change can have long-term effects on future lives. Parfit’s philosophy encourages us to consider the consequences of our actions and strive for a world with less suffering overall.

Population Ethics and the Repugnant Conclusion

Parfit’s work in population ethics, particularly his exploration of the repugnant conclusion, challenges our understanding of morality and the value of individual lives. He argues that adding more good lives is better than having fewer, even if the average happiness decreases. The average view in population ethics can lead to absurd conclusions, such as valuing the addition of a miserable life to increase average happiness. Parfit’s arguments highlight the complexity of ethical calculations and the need to consider long-term consequences. The repugnant conclusion raises profound questions about our relationship with future generations and the impact of our actions on their well-being. Parfit’s struggle to find a solution to the repugnant conclusion underscores the ongoing debates in population ethics and the importance of grappling with these challenging ethical dilemmas.

Conclusion

Join Sam Harris and David Edmonds as they explore the life and philosophy of Derek Parfit, a philosopher who made significant contributions to the fields of identity, time bias, population ethics, and moral truth. Parfit’s ideas continue to shape the field of philosophy, challenging traditional notions and encouraging us to think deeply about the consequences of our actions. His work on personal identity, the non-identity problem, and population ethics raises profound ethical questions and urges us to consider the well-being of future generations. Derek Parfit’s legacy as a philosopher ahead of his time continues to inspire and provoke thought in the realm of moral philosophy.