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#138 Classic episode – Sharon Hewitt Rawlette on why pleasure and pain are the only things that intrinsically matter

80,000 Hours Podcast

CHAPTER

The Experience Machine Debate

This chapter critically examines the philosophical implications of the experience machine thought experiment proposed by Robert Nozick, questioning the nature of intrinsic value. It explores the tension between subjective pleasure and the importance of authentic experiences in the context of virtual realities. The discussion highlights changing attitudes toward immersive escapism, particularly among younger generations, while reflecting on the psychological biases that affect our choices between pleasure and reality.

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