Thought Experiments

Excerpt from The Pig that Wants to be Eaten by Julian Baggini
Thought Experiment #44 Till Death Do Us Part

Harry and Sophie wanted to take seriously the words the minister would utter as they exchanged rings:

"These two lives are now joined in one unbroken circle."

This meant putting their collective interest first, and their individual interests second. If they could do that, the marriage would be better for both of them.

But Harry had seen his own parents divorce and too many friends and relations hurt by betrayal and deceit to accept this unquestioningly. The calculating part of his brain reasoned that, if he put himself second, but Sophie put herself first, Sophie would get a good deal from the marriage but he wouldn't. In other words, he risked being taken for a mug if he romantically failed to protect his own self interest.

Sophie had similar thoughts. They had even discussed the problem and agreed that they really would not be egotistical in the marriage. But neither could be sure the other would keep their part of the bargain, so the safest course of action for both was to secretly look out for themselves. That inevitably meant that the marriage would not be as good as it could have been. But surely it was the only rational course of action to take?

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I've been casually reading this book of thought experiments and I have to say, it always disrupts the perceived notion of normality that you would expect from yourself.

The above example is no different, and Julian subsequently dissects the issue brilliantly on both sides of the argument. His intention is never to conclude but rather, for the reader to ask more questions themselves, thus increasing their ability to rationalise.

But of course, not everyone would be susceptible to such joyous moments. For example, he does broach the topic of religion quite a lot, and frankly if I were a fervent believer of any god, either reaction would not be fantastically efficient.

#1 Throw the book out and never read it again.
#2 Start questioning my faith in said god.

But an open-minded approach no doubt brings endless wonder and results in ever expansive thought.

Definitely worth more than the $24 I paid for it at Kino.