I do not learn rationality from “rationalists”. I learn it from quants, from entrepreneurs, from artists, from physicists, from hackers like Tim Ferris and from political activists like Socrates.
This rather puts into question the coherence of the whole concept of “rationalist”, doesn’t it? After all, we learn physics from physicists, chemistry from chemists, computer science from computer scientists, and despite the perils of aspiring to be one, dharma teachers are really very useful. I think “rationality” is almost unique in that you shouldn’t try to learn from most of those aspiring to teach it.
I learn mathematics from physicists (physics involves a lot of math), physics from chemists (chemistry involves a lot of physics) and physics from computer scientists (Kerbal Space Program).
[Y]ou shouldn’t try to learn [rationality] from most of those aspiring to teach it.
The principle applies to philosophy and religion too.
This rather puts into question the coherence of the whole concept of “rationalist”, doesn’t it? After all, we learn physics from physicists, chemistry from chemists, computer science from computer scientists, and despite the perils of aspiring to be one, dharma teachers are really very useful. I think “rationality” is almost unique in that you shouldn’t try to learn from most of those aspiring to teach it.
I learn mathematics from physicists (physics involves a lot of math), physics from chemists (chemistry involves a lot of physics) and physics from computer scientists (Kerbal Space Program).
The principle applies to philosophy and religion too.