I still like aspiring rationalist: rationalist, by which I understand one who behaves rationally, modified by aspiring, which I understand to imply the proper humility of recognizing that none among us is truly rational, that there is always ever more we all must learn. (Following badger’s update, I do mean we in the most inclusive sense, as most aspiring rationalists are elsewhere: the reason this business of rationality is such a special endeavor is that true beliefs and effective actions are about the closest thing there can be to a universal ideal. The blog is but a device; the community we hope a mere conduit. See also the twelfth virtue.)
I don’t take seriously the objection that rationalist has been used to refer to other philosophies. I am given to understand that rationality is a standard term in economics and cognitive psychology, and if someone out there is that hellbent on confusing us with Spinoza, I’m inclined to just let them.
All this said, of course people can and should call themselves whatever they like.
But I thought this was exactly what was conveyed by the word aspiring.
Not necessarily. It just means that we’re reaching for a goal that we have not yet attained (possibly because the goal isn’t fully attainable, in which case it does mostly collapse to what I said).
But we’re not aspiring rationalists, we’re aspiring rational people (at least if “aspiring X” means “aspiring to be X”). Though on the other hand maybe “rationalist” means “one who wields rationality skill”, sort of like how a “pianist” is not just someone who approves of pianos.
Aspiring rationalist
I still like aspiring rationalist: rationalist, by which I understand one who behaves rationally, modified by aspiring, which I understand to imply the proper humility of recognizing that none among us is truly rational, that there is always ever more we all must learn. (Following badger’s update, I do mean we in the most inclusive sense, as most aspiring rationalists are elsewhere: the reason this business of rationality is such a special endeavor is that true beliefs and effective actions are about the closest thing there can be to a universal ideal. The blog is but a device; the community we hope a mere conduit. See also the twelfth virtue.)
I don’t take seriously the objection that rationalist has been used to refer to other philosophies. I am given to understand that rationality is a standard term in economics and cognitive psychology, and if someone out there is that hellbent on confusing us with Spinoza, I’m inclined to just let them.
All this said, of course people can and should call themselves whatever they like.
This implies to me that it can be achieved, and when it is achieved, it is a simple switch from aspiring X to just plain X.
This is a good point. Rationalism, as we conceive it, seems to be more of a direction than a destination.
But I thought this was exactly what was conveyed by the word aspiring.
Not necessarily. It just means that we’re reaching for a goal that we have not yet attained (possibly because the goal isn’t fully attainable, in which case it does mostly collapse to what I said).
But we’re not aspiring rationalists, we’re aspiring rational people (at least if “aspiring X” means “aspiring to be X”). Though on the other hand maybe “rationalist” means “one who wields rationality skill”, sort of like how a “pianist” is not just someone who approves of pianos.