We aim to decrease invasion only because, as a rule, invasion increases the total of pain (meaning, of course, pain suffered by the ego, whether directly or through sympathy with others).
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Invasion should be avoided because it inevitably increases total suffering, whether felt personally or through empathy for others.
- In plain terms
- We oppose invasion because it causes more pain overall.
- What can you take from it?
- Avoid actions that increase total suffering.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How do you measure total pain?
- Is suffering the only moral cost?
Another view
This assumes pain is the primary metric for moral judgment.
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