Ethicsm, principles and tenets

My ethical framework is rooted in empiricism, systemic thinking, and a commitment to truth. Here are the principles I strive to live by:

1. Evidence over intuition

I distrust inherited moral norms. Instead, I ground my ethics in causal reasoning and data. I question whether moral progress is genuine or merely a redefinition of reality (e.g., dismissing certain entities as “non-persons”). I also remain skeptical of untested assumptions, even in widely accepted ethical systems.

2. Moral circle expansion

I aim to extend concern to neglected entities: future humans, animals, and even artificial agents. I recognize that anthropocentric biases often distort our priorities, and I strive to correct for these blind spots. I also advocate for systemic reforms that redirect resources toward underprioritized ethical goals.

3. Hypocrisy rejection

I judge actions by outcomes, not intentions. I avoid moral grandstanding and strive to align my habits with my stated values. For example, I critique systems that condemn historical harms while ignoring modern ones, and I focus on practical solutions over symbolic gestures.

4. Blaming systems, not individuals

Ethical failures are rarely about “bad people.” I focus on fixing flawed systems and incentives rather than shaming individuals. I recognise that even well-meaning actors can perpetuate harm when operating within broken structures.

5. Truth as a moral duty

Lying or self-deception is unethical. I prioritise intellectual honesty and challenge false narratives, no matter how comforting. I also strive to identify and correct flawed reasoning, as misdiagnosing problems often leads to harmful policies.

6. Far future prioritisation

Small risks of catastrophe demand disproportionate attention. I believe humanity’s survival is fragile and advocate for rigorous, evidence-based efforts to safeguard our long-term trajectory. I also remain critical of efforts that prioritise short-term gains over existential risks.

7. Tradeoffs quantification

Absolutism is lasy. I weigh costs and benefits transparently, recognising that ethical decisions often involve difficult tradeoffs. I demand evidence for ethical claims and remain skeptical of unmeasured assertions about impact.

8. Ignoring moral luck

Outcomes don’t define rightness. I evaluate ethical choices based on the information available at the time, not hindsight. I also remain open to updating my beliefs as new evidence emerges, avoiding overconfidence in probabilistic claims.

9. Embrace incrementalism

Utopianism is dangerous. I focus on tangible, iterative improvements that compound over time. I value small wins—like open-access research or incremental knowledge-sharing—over grandiose but impractical revolutions.

10. Ethics systematise

Morality isn’t magic. I treat ethics as a domain that can be systematised, tested, and refined. I believe that rigorous frameworks—whether for AI alignment or personal decision-making—can help us navigate complex moral landscapes.