We should have a clear and concise list of our norms.
This will give us a clearer picture of what is expected of us, by us. ‘Social norms are the behavioral expectations and cues within a society or group. This sociological term has been defined as “the rules that a group uses for appropriate and inappropriate values, beliefs, attitudes and behaviors. These rules may be explicit or implicit.’ - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norm_(sociology)
Without explicit norms, we invite debates over exactly what a ‘real’ rationalist should believe, and whether or not any specific person might qualify. This seems like it would just waste our time, and the time spent in codifying our norms seems like it would be small in comparison.
We should have a clear and concise list of our norms.
This will give us a clearer picture of what is expected of us, by us.
‘Social norms are the behavioral expectations and cues within a society or group. This sociological term has been defined as “the rules that a group uses for appropriate and inappropriate values, beliefs, attitudes and behaviors. These rules may be explicit or implicit.’ - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norm_(sociology)
Without explicit norms, we invite debates over exactly what a ‘real’ rationalist should believe, and whether or not any specific person might qualify. This seems like it would just waste our time, and the time spent in codifying our norms seems like it would be small in comparison.
Doesn’t actually happen all that much, to be honest.
No, it doesn’t.
It doesn’t have to happen often to cumulatively waste more time than this process will take.
Another reason to do this is that it will give us something very easy to point people to when they ask us ‘what is a rationalist, anyway?’