Adam Jonsson: A statistical view of the infinite utility debate

Abstract

I will show that, in infinite worlds, the following three assertions are incompatible: 1) Individual spatiotemporal position is morally irrelevant. 2) It is better to bring about a good outcome with a high probability than with a low probability. 3) One act is better than another only if there is a nonzero probability that it brings about a better outcome. I will also explain the implications of this result for the debate about how utilitarianism should deal with infinite sums.