t Religion

“In this idea originated the plan of the "Lyrical Ballads"; in which it was agreed, that my endeavours should be directed to persons and characters supernatural, or at least romantic; yet so as to transfer from our inward nature a human interest and a semblance of truth sufficient to procure for these shadows of imagination that willing suspension of disbelief for the moment, which constitutes poetic faith. Mr. Wordsworth, on the other hand, was to propose to himself as his object, to give the charm of novelty to things of every day, and to excite a feeling analogous to the supernatural, by awakening the mind's attention from the lethargy of custom, and directing it to the loveliness and the wonders of the world before us; an inexhaustible treasure, but for which, in consequence of the film of familiarity and selfish solicitude we have eyes, yet see not, ears that hear not, and hearts that neither feel nor understand.” (Samuel T. Coleridge, Biographia Literaria)

THOUGHT EXPERIMENT

THE GOOD AND BAD WIZARD:

One day you meet a wizard who offers you a deal. He tells you that he can either make you much more beautiful or much more intelligent, but not both.

Now, let us say instead of meeting this nice wizard you meet a bad wizard. This wizard tells you that he is going to make you either much less good looking or much less intelligent, and you get to choose which.

Which do you choose in each case, and how are your choices related?