I'd argue utility can exist outside of measurable systems but is defined by the measurements made within a system.
The measurements then determine with arbitrary values the utility of an object.
For instance, take two early human weapons: A wooden spear, and a club.
How would you rate the utility of each? By a varying degrees of ways, but they have different uses; a spear can hunt animals and has good penetrating power through flesh, a hammer can stun or knock out an animal, or drive a nail or stake.
But which of the two is the better use of the wood? That I believe, is at the core of your question.
The answer is both. A non-zero-sum system where both are valued for different purposes and no-one is the greater, or lesser thereof.
Edit: I wasn't really paying ose attention and it didn't register that the left object was a stump or that he was looking at it. I thought he was just looking around for Brian
15 Comments
usualsuspect191@lemmy.ca · 77 pts · 1y
Mustakrakish@lemmy.world · 12 pts · 1y
What a bad lumber jack, not even hitting in the same spot and its almost at the top. He'll get like no wood from that.
rickdg@lemmy.world · 30 pts · 1y
Being useful is overrated.
ChapulinColorado@lemmy.world · 19 pts · 1y
The tree might ask, “useful to whom?”
Peppycito@sh.itjust.works · 12 pts · 1y
It may ask itself, how did I get here?
prettybunnys@sh.itjust.works · 5 pts · 1y
🎶letting the days go by🎵
Semjaza@lemmynsfw.com · 2 pts · 1y
What is utility?
Must it be measurable and quantifiable?
And even if it needn't, can it exist otherwise in an economic system that requires quantified value in all things?
Naz@sh.itjust.works · 2 pts · 1y
What a thought provoking question.
I'd argue utility can exist outside of measurable systems but is defined by the measurements made within a system.
The measurements then determine with arbitrary values the utility of an object.
For instance, take two early human weapons: A wooden spear, and a club.
How would you rate the utility of each? By a varying degrees of ways, but they have different uses; a spear can hunt animals and has good penetrating power through flesh, a hammer can stun or knock out an animal, or drive a nail or stake.
But which of the two is the better use of the wood? That I believe, is at the core of your question.
The answer is both. A non-zero-sum system where both are valued for different purposes and no-one is the greater, or lesser thereof.
Maeve@kbin.earth · 10 pts · 1y
The Giving Tree
peteyestee@feddit.org · 5 pts · 1y
I cried.
ripcord@lemmy.world · 5 pts · 1y
I didn't get it.
Peter1986C@lemmings.world · 13 pts · 1y
The tree wonders whether the bench is made of its chopped down neighbour.
ripcord@lemmy.world · 6 pts · 1y
Now I get it, thanks
Edit: I wasn't really paying ose attention and it didn't register that the left object was a stump or that he was looking at it. I thought he was just looking around for Brian
vonxylofon@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 1y
The Death of Brian
LovableSidekick@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 1y
Dark