I am suprised that a significant group of people think that rationality is inclusive of useful false beliefs. Wouldn’t we call LW an effectiveness forum, rather than a rationalist forum in that case?
That basically means that sometimes the person who seeks the truth doesn’t win.
I think you’re reading too much into that one quite rhetorical article, but I acknowledge he prioritises “winning” quite highly. I think he ought to revise that view. Trying to win with false beliefs risks not achieving your goals, but being oblivious to that fact. Like a mad person killing their friends because he/she thinks they’ve turned into evil dog-headed creatures or some such (exaggeration to illustrate my point).
Of course you can define rationality for yourself differently but it’s a mistake to project your own goals on others.
Fair point. And maybe you’re right I’m in the minority… I’m still not yet certain. I do note that upvotes does not indicate agreement, only a feeling that the article is an interesting read etc. Also, I note many comments disagree with article. It warrants further investigation for me though.
I am suprised that a significant group of people think that rationality is inclusive of useful false beliefs.
Often they use “instrumental rationality” for that meaning and “epistemic rationality” for the other one. Searching this site for epistemic instrumental returns some relevant posts.
I am suprised that a significant group of people think that rationality is inclusive of useful false beliefs. Wouldn’t we call LW an effectiveness forum, rather than a rationalist forum in that case?
I think you’re reading too much into that one quite rhetorical article, but I acknowledge he prioritises “winning” quite highly. I think he ought to revise that view. Trying to win with false beliefs risks not achieving your goals, but being oblivious to that fact. Like a mad person killing their friends because he/she thinks they’ve turned into evil dog-headed creatures or some such (exaggeration to illustrate my point).
Fair point. And maybe you’re right I’m in the minority… I’m still not yet certain. I do note that upvotes does not indicate agreement, only a feeling that the article is an interesting read etc. Also, I note many comments disagree with article. It warrants further investigation for me though.
Often they use “instrumental rationality” for that meaning and “epistemic rationality” for the other one. Searching this site for
epistemic instrumentalreturns some relevant posts.