This was surprising; in this context I had thought “useful” meant ‘helps one achieve one’s goals’, rather than being short for “useful for making predictions”.
Consider reading the link above and the rest of the SSC posts on the topic. In the model discussed there brain is nothing but a prediction error minimization machine. Which happens to match my views quite well.
If the brain can’t do anything except make predictions, where making predictions is defined defined to exclude seeking metaphysical truth, then you have nothing to object to, since it would be literally impossible for anyone to do other than as you recommend.
Since people can engage in metaphysical truth seeking, it is either a sub-variety of prediction, or the theory that the brain is nothing but a prediction error minimisation machine is false.
This was surprising; in this context I had thought “useful” meant ‘helps one achieve one’s goals’, rather than being short for “useful for making predictions”.
What is the difference? Achieving goals relies on making accurate predictions. See https://slatestarcodex.com/2017/09/05/book-review-surfing-uncertainty/
Does achieving goals rely on accurate predictions and nothing else?
Consider reading the link above and the rest of the SSC posts on the topic. In the model discussed there brain is nothing but a prediction error minimization machine. Which happens to match my views quite well.
If the brain can’t do anything except make predictions, where making predictions is defined defined to exclude seeking metaphysical truth, then you have nothing to object to, since it would be literally impossible for anyone to do other than as you recommend.
Since people can engage in metaphysical truth seeking, it is either a sub-variety of prediction, or the theory that the brain is nothing but a prediction error minimisation machine is false.
Downvotes for not being Socratic.