Hi Daniel, I'll keep your comments on Kaufmann in mind when I reread N:PPA, though I don't recollect any patronising tone or contempt from my first reading. But I don't agree with your comments on science re. ethics. It's true that science changes all the time in terms of its knowledge and understanding of the world/cosmos. But practising scientific method will instill truthfulness, frankness, rational thinking and readiness to recognise, acknowledge and correct our own mistakes. I'd say that was a pretty good basis for any ethics and worldview (though unfortunately, all scientists don't live up to those principles all the time, as I'm well aware). As for ER, I don't understand why N didn't wield Occam's razor and cut out the recurrence whose unprovability is the most eternal thing about it, and simply have his demon ask how you'd feel knowing for certain that this life is the only one you have, there'll be no afterlife or reincarnation, no second chances to change anything; could you then look back at your life just before your death and regret nothing, rejoicing in and affirming every moment of your existence?  That I believe would be in the end just as effective and fitting for the superman.  Jim