I try to avoid using “rationality” because I tend to think of it as having a precise mathematical definition, and nearly everyone seems to have a slightly different idea of what it means outside of mathematical literature. Sorry if it snuck in, but I really do try to refer to this as “the Way” or maybe “The Art of Rationality”.
That said, part of following the Way is accepting the truth, but one of the dangers for the student is not pulling at all the strings before you let the truth change you. That was my mistake: I let what I realized change me before I had understood the whole issue (or at least more of the issue). This partial understanding of reality was caused by a partial application of techniques. Looks like I didn’t make that clear in the article, though, so I’ll go back and edit it later if I have time to better reflect that.
I let what I realized change me before I had understood the whole issue (or at least more of the issue).
I still don’t see where you’re getting the “ought” from the “is”. The Way doesn’t contain the commandment “If you ever figure out school is bullshit, stop trying!” Information didn’t make that decision, you did.
I see the outline of a moral here, I think I’m just disagreeing with the way you’re presenting it. Perhaps it’s something like “don’t make high-impact decisions when your worldview is still in flux”. From a disheartened perspective, the question “why try?” feels rhetorical, like a conclusive statement of futility. Nonetheless, it’s not rhetorical, and it does (often) have a reasonable answer, if your emotions don’t prevent you from asking it honestly.
I certainly empathize with your situation. I never really recovered the motivation I had for school prior to academic disillusionment. Understanding that it’s a necessary means to an end doesn’t necessarily make it exciting again.
I try to avoid using “rationality” because I tend to think of it as having a precise mathematical definition, and nearly everyone seems to have a slightly different idea of what it means outside of mathematical literature. Sorry if it snuck in, but I really do try to refer to this as “the Way” or maybe “The Art of Rationality”.
That said, part of following the Way is accepting the truth, but one of the dangers for the student is not pulling at all the strings before you let the truth change you. That was my mistake: I let what I realized change me before I had understood the whole issue (or at least more of the issue). This partial understanding of reality was caused by a partial application of techniques. Looks like I didn’t make that clear in the article, though, so I’ll go back and edit it later if I have time to better reflect that.
I still don’t see where you’re getting the “ought” from the “is”. The Way doesn’t contain the commandment “If you ever figure out school is bullshit, stop trying!” Information didn’t make that decision, you did.
I see the outline of a moral here, I think I’m just disagreeing with the way you’re presenting it. Perhaps it’s something like “don’t make high-impact decisions when your worldview is still in flux”. From a disheartened perspective, the question “why try?” feels rhetorical, like a conclusive statement of futility. Nonetheless, it’s not rhetorical, and it does (often) have a reasonable answer, if your emotions don’t prevent you from asking it honestly.
I certainly empathize with your situation. I never really recovered the motivation I had for school prior to academic disillusionment. Understanding that it’s a necessary means to an end doesn’t necessarily make it exciting again.