Kaj_Sotala comments on Open Thread: January 2010 - Less Wrong

5 Post author: Kaj_Sotala 01 January 2010 05:02PM

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Comment author: Zack_M_Davis 02 January 2010 01:23:55AM 3 points [-]

Is this another example of a useful lie?

If it works, it can't be a lie. In any case, surely a sophisticated understanding does not say that intelligence is malleable or not-malleable. Rather, we say it's malleable to this-and-such an extent in such-and-these aspects by these-and-such methods.

Comment author: Kaj_Sotala 02 January 2010 01:23:13PM 2 points [-]

If it works, it can't be a lie.

"Intelligence is malleable" can be a lie and still work. Kids who believe their general intelligence to be malleable might end up exercising domain-specific skills and a general perseverance so that they don't get too easily discouraged. That leaves their general intelligence unchanged, but nonetheless improves school performance.