Correct.

However, I want to point out that the framework just explores and evaluates actions based on how optimal they are for getting to the goal. It’s up to your moral framework to determine which paths are unacceptable.

I find that full exploration of possible solutions is very helpful when dealing with other people, because they might be willing to pick a solution that you wouldn’t. It can help to predict sociopathic actions so they can be preemptively countered.

Oh yeah, Yudkowsky is a super weird dude. I haven’t looked into what he’s been doing over the past few years, but I assume he’s gotten… more eccentric.

I just read the Wikipedia synopsis. It’s… accurate to the events but leaves out who is on-board with which decisions or what the characters know at the time of major events. Harry is horrified by Voldemort murdering Quirrel to give Hermione a Horcrux, for example. Harry is still the protagonist of the story and Voldemort is still the antagonist.

Dr. Soran is an absolute madman given he doesn’t know or understand how the Nexus works. Even if we assume that the Nexus can actually bring everyone back perfectly, he’s still a madman because his plan could fail. There’s no world in which you could have enough certainty of the outcome to enact his plan.

On death: while I don’t know if I would want to live forever, I’d like to have control over when I die.

Weirdly enough, the philosophy behind HPMoR doesn’t claim to have any moral evaluations at all, since that’s not in its domain. It’s more of a framework for thinking about plans of action to take towards a desired outcome.

The beginning of the story was definitely stronger than the rest of it, partially just due to the world of Harry Potter being not-well-thought-out. It’s fun to poke holes in the poor world-building. As for the ending, I think a lot of web serials are written that way (taking ideas from the comments), and I’m pretty sure he was open about doing it. Right? Am I misremembering that?

What about the philosophy of HPMoR is contemptible? I’m genuinely curious as to what you find repugnant.

Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality?

If Thiel’s group is saying they’re in someway inspired by it, they hilariously misinterpreted the point of the story.

I don’t know what synopsis you read, but the story in no way is extolling the philosophy of Dr. Soran, given that any death is generally treated as a worst-case outcome, whereas Dr.Soran was willing to sacrifice 100s of millions of people to get what he personally wants.

Settlements usually come with enforceable changes. If they continue the same practices, they can be sued again. In such a case, the penalties will likely be established ahead of time in the settlement and will be significantly harsher for the repeat offense.