IF text 6

The amount of harm a person suffers in a particular situation is calculated by comparing their well-being in that situation to their maximum potential well-being.

A theory that argues the best state of affairs minimizes the total comparative harm experienced by all individuals.

If you add or remove possible options, it can change the ranking of states of affairs, especially when the populations of these states differ.

The total comparative harm in a state of affairs is calculated by summing the harm experienced by each individual in that state.

A theory that suggests the best state of affairs is the one with the lowest total comparative harm.

A population axiology that judges the goodness of a state of affairs based on the sum total of well-being across all individuals.

A population axiology that judges the goodness of a state of affairs based on the average well-being of all individuals.

A thought experiment highlighting a problematic consequence of Totalism. It suggests that with Totalism, a state of affairs with a vast population, each living a barely-worth-living life, could be considered better than a state with a smaller population living much more fulfilling lives.

The concept of 'life worth living' serves as a baseline for measuring well-being within Totalism. It refers to the minimum level of well-being needed to make life worth living.

Refers to prioritizing specific groups or values in setting population policies, often focusing on those with greater need or vulnerability.

Advocates for equal treatment and well-being for all individuals, regardless of their group or position.

It represents the total well-being of a state by multiplying the number of individuals by the average well-being level.

It represents the average well-being of a state solely based on the average well-being level, disregarding the number of individuals.

A theory that evaluates the goodness of a situation by considering the total well-being of all individuals, regardless of population size.

A theory that prioritizes the average well-being of individuals in a population, rather than the total well-being.

Theories that aim to balance total well-being with average well-being by considering factors like population size and distribution of well-being.

Theories that propose a threshold level of well-being, below which a new person's existence is deemed less valuable.

Theories that argue that the moral worth of a state of affairs depends on whether it has an impact on the well-being of existing persons.

A challenge to population axiology, proposing that no single theory can fully satisfy all intuitive constraints.

A philosophy that focuses on the goodness or badness of a state of affairs, taking into account population size and well-being.

The realm of ethics concerned with moral principles and rules applicable to a fixed number of individuals.

It's possible to have a world where the population is so large that even a tiny increase in average happiness would be morally preferable to a world with fewer people and greater happiness.

The theory that moral value is primarily determined by the number of persons whose lives are affected. For example, a policy that benefits 10 people might be considered better, even if each person gets a less 'intense' benefit, than one that benefits 5 people.

A moral principle that suggests the overall good is the primary factor to consider in ethical decision-making, even if individual interests are not considered.

An ethical framework that rejects the idea that we should sacrifice individual interests for the sake of the greater good.

A state of affairs where adding individuals with negative well-being can be considered better than adding individuals with positive well-being, due to the potential reduction of the average well-being.

A principle stating that adding extra individuals with positive well-being to a state of affairs cannot make it worse, even if it might lower the average well-being.

A problem found in Averagism, which claims that adding a large number of individuals with positive but below-average well-being can reduce the average well-being more than adding a smaller number of people with negative well-being.

A philosophical problem arising from the Mere Addition Principle, which suggests that adding individuals whose lives are worth living cannot make a state of affairs worse, even if it lowers the average well-being.

A potential solution to the problems faced by Totalism and Averagism, which proposes that the value of adding a person with a fixed well-being level diminishes as the population grows.

The belief that creating a new person, if it does not negatively impact the well-being of existing people, does not make the world better or worse.

A philosophical concept that states adding more good things, such as lives worth living, is generally considered better than having fewer good things.

A type of population axiology that considers the well-being of individuals, rather than just focusing on overall population well-being or average well-being.

A philosophical argument against the Mere Addition Principle, suggesting that creating new people may not be morally good even if they have lives worth living.

The belief that there are moral obligations to create extra people if it would lead to more lives worth living, even if these reasons are easily overridden by other moral or non-moral concerns.