gwern comments on Rationality Quotes - August 2009 - Less Wrong

6 Post author: Vladimir_Nesov 06 August 2009 01:58AM

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Comment author: gwern 06 August 2009 08:15:09AM 7 points [-]

The point of a quote is usually obvious, but this one isn't. The original writers were simply laying down their sexist laws - but why are you quoting it?

Comment author: Douglas_Knight 07 August 2009 04:03:26AM 2 points [-]

I can't speak for Rune, but I think it's interesting because it's awfully specific. It's an example of the conjunction fallacy that someone thought this important enough to be a rule. To my common-law mind, it would be more sensible if it were something like "...even if it's to save her husband." And maybe it did mean that, since conjunctions are a common place for miscommunication.

Comment author: Rune 01 September 2009 08:47:00PM 0 points [-]

Yeah, my interpretation was similar. It is far too specific to simply be used as an exhibit of sexist thinking.