Comment by PowerSet on Torture vs. Dust Specks · 2009-09-13T07:56:44.175Z · LW · GW

Isn't it paradoxical to argue against consequentialism based on its consequences?

The reason you can't torture people is that those members of your population who aren't as dumb as bricks will realize that the same could happen to them. Such anxiety among the more intelligent members of your society should outweigh the fun experienced by the more easily amused.