Kaj_Sotala comments on A Challenge for LessWrong - Less Wrong

16 Post author: simplicio 29 June 2010 11:47PM

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Comment author: wedrifid 30 June 2010 02:55:28PM 1 point [-]

But, the OP is asking us to use rationality in a practical way and report back. That means we have to pick a goal, or there's nothing to point our rationality at. Making the world a better place for the people living in it (or to use a more utilitarian phrasing, reducing the net amount of potential and actual suffering in the world) seems like a pretty good one. It matches my own personal goals, at any rate.

Absolutely. What did Eliezer call this "must have a goal" principle way back when in the sequences? He explained it well, whatever it was.

What my point is is that none of the the actions listed are an effective way of achieving anything. Neither of the two purposes of altruistic actions are served (that being signalling and actually changing the world to match altruistic preferences.)

Comment author: Kaj_Sotala 30 June 2010 03:23:52PM 4 points [-]

What did Eliezer call this "must have a goal" principle way back when in the sequences? He explained it well, whatever it was.

Something to Protect?

Comment author: wedrifid 30 June 2010 03:53:04PM 1 point [-]

That's the one, thanks guys. Time for me to do some revision.