> since it’s possible to imagine it, this means it will come into existence
Nope. That's not the argument. In fact, it's such a bad take that it reeks of a deliberately constructed strawman.
The actual argument is: Since it's possible to imagine it, and doesn't contradict any known laws of nature or technology, and current development appears to be iterating towards it, it might come into existence, thus it presents a statistical risk.
When I take out tornado insurance, it's not because I know my house will be blown away by a storm – it's because I don't know, but the possibility is there.
Certainty is not required in order to conclude that risk exists. Quite the opposite is true: Risk is a function of uncertainty.
Nope. That's not the argument. In fact, it's such a bad take that it reeks of a deliberately constructed strawman.
The actual argument is: Since it's possible to imagine it, and doesn't contradict any known laws of nature or technology, and current development appears to be iterating towards it, it might come into existence, thus it presents a statistical risk.
When I take out tornado insurance, it's not because I know my house will be blown away by a storm – it's because I don't know, but the possibility is there.
Certainty is not required in order to conclude that risk exists. Quite the opposite is true: Risk is a function of uncertainty.