Three factors that decide the outcome
New technologies can multiply suffering. But the effect of power depends on what it's used for. The author suggests looking at three factors, which he calls the influence triad.
The three factors
1. Intention: what is the goal of whoever is acting, and how much do they care about those affected?
- they want to harm those affected;
- they're indifferent: they don't want to harm, but they will if it helps their goal;
- they want to benefit those affected;
- there's no agent: it's natural processes, with nobody deciding.
2. Knowledge: how much the agent knows about how to reach their goal.
3. Power: how much the agent has the means to reach their goal.
Combining the factors
The author looks at several combinations. For example:
- someone who intends to help, with lots of knowledge and lots of power, tends to get very good results;
- someone indifferent with lots of power can cause enormous harm, even without meaning to;
- someone who intends to harm and has lots of power is the most dangerous scenario;
- natural processes have no intention but, as we've seen, can produce enormous suffering.
The lesson
Increasing power and knowledge is only good if the intention is good. That's why spreading consideration for all sentient beings is so important: it improves the intentions of those who will have more and more power.
In short
- Intention, knowledge, and power decide the outcome of an action.
- Lots of power without good intentions is dangerous.
- That's why improving consideration for sentient beings is essential for the future.