I think an interesting line of research would be to start with simpler animals and move towards more complex ones to look for evidence of valence-based values. Since we’re looking for neurological feedback mechanisms and signs that control signals in those systems are what creates valence and interacts to ultimately create values, starting with brains with fewer neurons seems like a smart approach.
If I could get my hands on some money, I’d very much like to see it channeled into neuroscience research to better scan brains so we can identify the mechanisms at work, although I’m not sure how much differential impact this would have, as my outsider impression is that this kind of work is already happening, and at best I could only slightly nudge it towards directions I think are useful but would largely be bottlenecked by the need for more fundamental, broadly useful work in neuroscience to be done first.
The other possibility would be to retrain myself as a neuroscientist so I could do this work myself, but I think that works against my comparative advantages at this point in my life.
I think an interesting line of research would be to start with simpler animals and move towards more complex ones to look for evidence of valence-based values. Since we’re looking for neurological feedback mechanisms and signs that control signals in those systems are what creates valence and interacts to ultimately create values, starting with brains with fewer neurons seems like a smart approach.
Right, it makes sense to me, just surprised it’s not being actively pursued.
If I could get my hands on some money, I’d very much like to see it channeled into neuroscience research to better scan brains so we can identify the mechanisms at work, although I’m not sure how much differential impact this would have, as my outsider impression is that this kind of work is already happening, and at best I could only slightly nudge it towards directions I think are useful but would largely be bottlenecked by the need for more fundamental, broadly useful work in neuroscience to be done first.
The other possibility would be to retrain myself as a neuroscientist so I could do this work myself, but I think that works against my comparative advantages at this point in my life.