Can I propose entirely new classes to add? I think a good rationality degree would need at least a few.
Existing classes on math (probability theory and Bayesian statistics, information theory, etc. and possibly a new one on decision theory), computer science, cognitive science (to introduce heuristics and biases and to encourage naturalistic algorithmic thinking about one’s own mind), and maybe evolutionary psychology would lead into new classes on reductionism and technical thinking. A second semester of reductionism would cover standard philosophical questions, as practice, but there would be a much higher standard of reduvtive technical scientifically-informed explanation than philosophy courses usually set. Any other philosophy courses would not spend much time on the subject often known as “philosophy” but better described as “history of philosophy”, e.g. reading (and somehow taking seriously) the opinions of dead dudes who didn’t know anything about cogsci or compsci or probability/decision theory or physics. We may look at old philosophers to find examples of what not to do, but that’s about it. Though I think there would be room for further philosophy courses that go deeper into epistemology, ethics, metaethics, ontology, etc. with the same high standards of reasoning.
A basic class on modern AI should probably fit in there somewhere, to further encourage and demonstrate technical thinking about mental algorithms, and maybe some physics, with the same intention as the quantum physics sequence.
Anyway, I think that would be a good start for an epistemic rationality program. I’m much less able to envision an instrumental rationality program, though I’m inclined to think that if someone does come up with one that works well (perhaps drawing from Rationality Boot Camp after a few years of experience and refinement), it should be taught (at least in part) to most or all students, rather than just as part of a specialized program. I’d love to see more people learning reductionism and cogsci and Bayesian reasoning and such, but realistically, high-quality instrumental rationality instruction would probably be significantly more appealing and useful to most people.
Can I propose entirely new classes to add? I think a good rationality degree would need at least a few.
Existing classes on math (probability theory and Bayesian statistics, information theory, etc. and possibly a new one on decision theory), computer science, cognitive science (to introduce heuristics and biases and to encourage naturalistic algorithmic thinking about one’s own mind), and maybe evolutionary psychology would lead into new classes on reductionism and technical thinking. A second semester of reductionism would cover standard philosophical questions, as practice, but there would be a much higher standard of reduvtive technical scientifically-informed explanation than philosophy courses usually set. Any other philosophy courses would not spend much time on the subject often known as “philosophy” but better described as “history of philosophy”, e.g. reading (and somehow taking seriously) the opinions of dead dudes who didn’t know anything about cogsci or compsci or probability/decision theory or physics. We may look at old philosophers to find examples of what not to do, but that’s about it. Though I think there would be room for further philosophy courses that go deeper into epistemology, ethics, metaethics, ontology, etc. with the same high standards of reasoning.
A basic class on modern AI should probably fit in there somewhere, to further encourage and demonstrate technical thinking about mental algorithms, and maybe some physics, with the same intention as the quantum physics sequence.
Anyway, I think that would be a good start for an epistemic rationality program. I’m much less able to envision an instrumental rationality program, though I’m inclined to think that if someone does come up with one that works well (perhaps drawing from Rationality Boot Camp after a few years of experience and refinement), it should be taught (at least in part) to most or all students, rather than just as part of a specialized program. I’d love to see more people learning reductionism and cogsci and Bayesian reasoning and such, but realistically, high-quality instrumental rationality instruction would probably be significantly more appealing and useful to most people.
Absolutely!
This will be achieved through the practicum, in which students will take a level in Badass [trope]!