I think from Eliezer’s point of view it goes kinda like this:
People can’t see why the arguments of other side are invalid.
Eliezer tried to engage with them, but most listeners/readers can’t tell who is right in this discussions.
Eliezer thinks that if he provides people with strawmenned versions of other side’s arguments and refutation of this strawmenned arguments, then the chance that this people will see why he’s right in the real discussion will go up.
Eliezer writes this discussion with strawmen as a fictional parable because otherwise it would be either dishonest and rude or a quite boring text with a lot of disclaimers. Or because it’s just easier for him to write it this way.
After reading this text at least one person (you) thinks that the goal “avoid dishonesty and rudeness” were not achieved, so text is a failure.
After reading this text at least one person (me) thinks that 1. I got some useful ideas and models. 2. Of course, at least the smartest opponents of Eliezer have better arguments and I don’t think Eliezer would disagree with that, so text is a success.
Ideally, Eliezer should update his strategy of writing texts based on both pieces of evidence.
I think from Eliezer’s point of view it goes kinda like this:
People can’t see why the arguments of other side are invalid.
Eliezer tried to engage with them, but most listeners/readers can’t tell who is right in this discussions.
Eliezer thinks that if he provides people with strawmenned versions of other side’s arguments and refutation of this strawmenned arguments, then the chance that this people will see why he’s right in the real discussion will go up.
Eliezer writes this discussion with strawmen as a fictional parable because otherwise it would be either dishonest and rude or a quite boring text with a lot of disclaimers. Or because it’s just easier for him to write it this way.
After reading this text at least one person (you) thinks that the goal “avoid dishonesty and rudeness” were not achieved, so text is a failure.
After reading this text at least one person (me) thinks that 1. I got some useful ideas and models. 2. Of course, at least the smartest opponents of Eliezer have better arguments and I don’t think Eliezer would disagree with that, so text is a success.
Ideally, Eliezer should update his strategy of writing texts based on both pieces of evidence.
I can be wrong, of course.