Eliezer decided to apply the label “rational” to emotions resulting from true beliefs. I think this is an understandable way to apply that word. I don’t think you and Eliezer disagree with anything substantive except the application of that label.
That said, your point about keeping the label “rational” for things strictly related to the fundamental laws regulating beliefs is good. I agree it might be a better way to use the word.
My reading of Eliezer’s choice is this: you use the word “rational” for the laws themselves. But you also use the word “rational” for beliefs and actions that are correct according to the laws (e.g., “It’s rational to believe x!). In the same way, you can also use the word “rational” for emotion directly caused by rational beliefs, whatever those emotions might be.
About the instrumental rationality part: if you are strict about only applying the word “rational” to the laws of thinking, then you shouldn’t use it to describe emotions even when you are talking about instrumental rationality, although I agree it seems to be closer to the original meaning, as there isn’t the additional causal step. It’s closer in the way that “rational belief” is closer to the original meaning. But note that this is true insofar as you can control your emotions, and you treat them at the same level of actions. Otherwise, it would be as saying “state of the world x that helps me achieve my goals is rational”, which I haven’t heard anywhere.
Eliezer decided to apply the label “rational” to emotions resulting from true beliefs. I think this is an understandable way to apply that word. I don’t think you and Eliezer disagree with anything substantive except the application of that label.
That said, your point about keeping the label “rational” for things strictly related to the fundamental laws regulating beliefs is good. I agree it might be a better way to use the word.
My reading of Eliezer’s choice is this: you use the word “rational” for the laws themselves. But you also use the word “rational” for beliefs and actions that are correct according to the laws (e.g., “It’s rational to believe x!). In the same way, you can also use the word “rational” for emotion directly caused by rational beliefs, whatever those emotions might be.
About the instrumental rationality part: if you are strict about only applying the word “rational” to the laws of thinking, then you shouldn’t use it to describe emotions even when you are talking about instrumental rationality, although I agree it seems to be closer to the original meaning, as there isn’t the additional causal step. It’s closer in the way that “rational belief” is closer to the original meaning. But note that this is true insofar as you can control your emotions, and you treat them at the same level of actions. Otherwise, it would be as saying “state of the world x that helps me achieve my goals is rational”, which I haven’t heard anywhere.