Here’s another set of downvotes I don’t get (ETA: parent was at −2 when I arrived). Gelisam is just stating their personal experience, not in order to claim we must all do likewise, but as their own reaction to the debate.
I think this community would be ill served by a norm that makes it a punishable offense to ever admit one doesn’t strive for truth as much as one ought.
As far as replies go:
I’d rather believe, quite simply, in whatever I need to believe in order to be happiest.
It’s not so simple. If you’re self-deceiving, you might be quite wrong about whether your beliefs actually make you happier! There’s a very relevant post on doublethink.
Here’s another set of downvotes I don’t get. Gelisam is just stating their personal experience, not in order to claim we must all do likewise, but as their own reaction to the debate.
I think this community would be ill served by a norm that makes it a punishable offense to ever admit one doesn’t strive for truth as much as one ought.
Ah, so that’s why people downvoted my comment! Thanks for explaining. I thought it was only because I appeared to be confusing utilons with hedons.
Regarding the doublethink post, I agree that I couldn’t rationally assign myself false but beneficial beliefs, and I feel silly for writing that I could. On the other hand, sometimes I want to believe in false but beneficial beliefs, and that’s why I can’t pretend to be an aspiring rationalist.
Here’s another set of downvotes I don’t get (ETA: parent was at −2 when I arrived). Gelisam is just stating their personal experience, not in order to claim we must all do likewise, but as their own reaction to the debate.
I think this community would be ill served by a norm that makes it a punishable offense to ever admit one doesn’t strive for truth as much as one ought.
As far as replies go:
It’s not so simple. If you’re self-deceiving, you might be quite wrong about whether your beliefs actually make you happier! There’s a very relevant post on doublethink.
Agreed.
Ah, so that’s why people downvoted my comment! Thanks for explaining. I thought it was only because I appeared to be confusing utilons with hedons.
Regarding the doublethink post, I agree that I couldn’t rationally assign myself false but beneficial beliefs, and I feel silly for writing that I could. On the other hand, sometimes I want to believe in false but beneficial beliefs, and that’s why I can’t pretend to be an aspiring rationalist.