What is Good? Antiruin and Nonabsolutism

What makes something good? According to LessWrong, one answer is avoiding ruin. In a new essay, a philosopher argues that good isn't about maximizing outcomes—it's about taking actions that are definitely not bad. The concept is called 'antiruin': anything that prevents catastrophic collapse. Unlike pure utilitarian thinking, which can justify almost anything if the numbers work out, antiruin asks simpler questions: Is this fundamentally harmful? The essay also explores how diversity matters morally. Drawing on machine learning research, the author argues that just as diverse models outperform single algorithms, moral systems need protection against any one faction seizing all power. The takeaway: don't outsource ethics to formulas. Instead, anchor morality in specific principles—like don't harm—while preserving the diversity that keeps civilization alive.

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