Stephen Woodford of Rationality Rules claims to debunk Stefan Molyneux’s theory of universally preferable behavior in his video Universally Preferable Behaviour – Debunked (Stefan Molyneux Refuted). He does a good job disassembling Molyneux’s proofs that UPB is correct, but then claims that since the proofs are incorrect, the theory is therefore entirely incorrect. Woodford thereby commits one of his own sins: a hasty generalization.
To me, one of the most powerful arguments for UPB is the case Molyneux makes as to why murder is universally unpreferable. Put succinctly, it is that you cannot prefer to be murdered, because by definition, the victim of a murder does not want to be murdered.
Perhaps there are no universally preferable behaviours, but there do seem to be universally unpreferable behaviours. UUB doesn’t have the same ring to it as UPB, so I see why Molyneux chose to frame his philosophy as he did.
I find an irresistible parallel to human rights here. Negative rights (the right to freedom of speech, for example) are demonstrably possible: just don’t interfere with anyone’s speech. Positive rights (the right to health care, for example) are less amenable. Health care requires resources. Does your “right” to health care give you the right to compel others to provide those resources?
