Kaj_Sotala comments on Deception and Self-Doubt - Less Wrong

8 Post author: Psychohistorian 11 March 2010 02:39AM

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Comment author: JamesAndrix 11 March 2010 05:07:30AM 10 points [-]

I'm not sure a babysitter is the right example, as it is often an issue of conflicting values, rather than the babysitter actually being right, given the child's values. If you lie to a human-level paperclipper, it's not because you think they won't understand, but because you know they won't care.

A child can be fully aware that a babysitter has homework to do and still want to see the toys.

I wouldn't consider that lie justified anyway. If you're circumventing a child's preferences, you should tell them you're doing it, and why.

Comment author: Kaj_Sotala 11 March 2010 07:24:50AM 3 points [-]

If you're circumventing a child's preferences, you should tell them you're doing it, and why.

Full agreement. (If you want them to be honest, you should teach by example.)