In the sense that rationality is just a technology; the will or “utility function” which directs it is the seat of power, and it is non-rational. This is why rational debates of the kind favored here tend to be shallow and rather impotent. The ability to manipulate the non-rational mind is where the real power lies, as anyone who works in advertising or political propaganda will tell you.
Right, LW seeks to make rationality the absolute mental fuhrer by subjugating all other psychological imperatives to its dictates. I’m challenging this basic assumption, but since my challenge is non-rational, it seems we are at an impasse. I guess I’ll see you on the battlefield :)
More powerful in what sense?
In the sense that rationality is just a technology; the will or “utility function” which directs it is the seat of power, and it is non-rational. This is why rational debates of the kind favored here tend to be shallow and rather impotent. The ability to manipulate the non-rational mind is where the real power lies, as anyone who works in advertising or political propaganda will tell you.
You’ll notice that a lot of LW is focused on working with and understanding the parts of your mind that are not clearly and obviously rational.
Right, LW seeks to make rationality the absolute mental fuhrer by subjugating all other psychological imperatives to its dictates. I’m challenging this basic assumption, but since my challenge is non-rational, it seems we are at an impasse. I guess I’ll see you on the battlefield :)