I think we can all generally agree on a reasonable set of things we all think is bad, and we should insist people agree to respect those things. But why should we shun Will or Albert if they have a reasonable ethical system?
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We should take all logical consequences we can compute of things we know seriously. The entire trouble with basilisks et al. is precisely that they don’t logically follow, but are taken seriously anyways.
I am not sure I understand you here. Should we shun people who believe that the most probable model consistent with “a reasonable set of things describing modern empirical science + math” contains basilisks etc.? Or should we respect them, and be content with the possibility that their worldview might spread, and eventually dominate a certain influential subset of humanity?
What reasonable ethical system do you have in mind which could prevent people from taking dangerous actions if they believe Pascal’s mugging, or basilisks, to be a logical consequence that is to be taken seriously?
A culture that agrees only on what we can test, and lets your mind wander about other matters will be resistant to things like basilisks simply because most members of such a culture will believe something else, and give you other convincing possibilities (and you will be unable to choose since they are all untestable anyways).
Suppose there exists a highly effective model, which contains basilisks, but which is consistent with “a reasonable set of things describing modern empirical science + math”. What if this diverse culture was threatened by the propagation this model?
Or should we respect them, and be content with the possibility that their worldview might spread, and
eventually dominate a certain influential subset of humanity?
What if this diverse culture was threatened by the propagation [of] this model?
“Consistent” is a much lower bar to meet than “logically must follow.” Jehova and your green alien Bob are also consistent. Sensible religions are generally consistent.
I call for the spread of the culture of tolerance rather than the culture of religious war. History shows that the culture of tolerance will serve your goals better here. You can always find a boogieman as an excuse to knock heads—be it Scientology, Wahabi Islam, Communism or whatever. But will that help you?
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I am not sure I understand you here. Should we shun people who believe that the most probable model consistent with “a reasonable set of things describing modern empirical science + math” contains basilisks etc.? Or should we respect them, and be content with the possibility that their worldview might spread, and eventually dominate a certain influential subset of humanity?
What reasonable ethical system do you have in mind which could prevent people from taking dangerous actions if they believe Pascal’s mugging, or basilisks, to be a logical consequence that is to be taken seriously?
Suppose there exists a highly effective model, which contains basilisks, but which is consistent with “a reasonable set of things describing modern empirical science + math”. What if this diverse culture was threatened by the propagation this model?
“Consistent” is a much lower bar to meet than “logically must follow.” Jehova and your green alien Bob are also consistent. Sensible religions are generally consistent.
I call for the spread of the culture of tolerance rather than the culture of religious war. History shows that the culture of tolerance will serve your goals better here. You can always find a boogieman as an excuse to knock heads—be it Scientology, Wahabi Islam, Communism or whatever. But will that help you?