this post was submitted on 20 Apr 2025
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[–] Naz@sh.itjust.works 2 points 2 weeks ago

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.