Its interesting that people seem to a) be as skeptical of my rationality as they seem to be, and b) think that is the crux of the matter.
Regarding a), if someone tells me that they’ve been reading OB/LW for quite a while and that they think they are considerably more rational than their romantic partner, I think it is very likely that they are correct. But maybe if I was on the other side I would react differently. If I knew of an easy way to prove my rationality I would, but I don’t. Even writing an original rational essay wouldn’t prove much because I could easily be irrational in other domains.
Regarding b), I’m not sure exactly how important it is that potential advice-givers have a very accurate estimate of my rationality (and my girlfriend’s rationality). Perhaps it would be helpful to focus on more specific aspects of our beliefs and approaches to experiencing and acting in the world.
I lean towards preference utilitarianism, though I don’t walk the walk as well as I should.
I attempt to calculate the costs and benefits of various choices, she does this too sometimes, but doesn’t like applying it reflexively.
She believes in spirits, I’m into Dennett and Dawkins (though I see positive aspects to religion/spirituality)
My partner and I both agree that:
She is much more emotional and I am more rational.
She is more prone to depression.
She has more faith in intuition, I’m more skeptical of it.
Lets say you’ve read everything I’ve written here and you think I’m probably no more rational than my partner. ok, that’s fine, I’d be happy to hear advice that works for two equally irrational people with different beliefs/values/approaches to experiencing and acting in the world.
Its interesting that people seem to a) be as skeptical of my rationality as they seem to be, and b) think that is the crux of the matter.
Regarding a), if someone tells me that they’ve been reading OB/LW for quite a while and that they think they are considerably more rational than their romantic partner, I think it is very likely that they are correct. But maybe if I was on the other side I would react differently. If I knew of an easy way to prove my rationality I would, but I don’t. Even writing an original rational essay wouldn’t prove much because I could easily be irrational in other domains.
Regarding b), I’m not sure exactly how important it is that potential advice-givers have a very accurate estimate of my rationality (and my girlfriend’s rationality). Perhaps it would be helpful to focus on more specific aspects of our beliefs and approaches to experiencing and acting in the world.
I lean towards preference utilitarianism, though I don’t walk the walk as well as I should. I attempt to calculate the costs and benefits of various choices, she does this too sometimes, but doesn’t like applying it reflexively. She believes in spirits, I’m into Dennett and Dawkins (though I see positive aspects to religion/spirituality)
My partner and I both agree that: She is much more emotional and I am more rational. She is more prone to depression. She has more faith in intuition, I’m more skeptical of it.
Lets say you’ve read everything I’ve written here and you think I’m probably no more rational than my partner. ok, that’s fine, I’d be happy to hear advice that works for two equally irrational people with different beliefs/values/approaches to experiencing and acting in the world.