JenniferDavies comments on Is Santa Real? - Less Wrong

19 Post author: thomblake 13 March 2009 08:45PM

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Comment author: JenniferDavies 20 August 2011 11:57:29PM 2 points [-]

Thanks for catching that lessdazed -- I didn't realize I was falling into a potential trap. Assuming I understood you correctly, there is a huge difference between:
1. Considering whether to keep silent regarding beliefs she's told that I feel are false
2. Considering whether to keep silent regarding all beliefs she's told.

To only do 1. would be counterproductive given my stated goal to encourage independent thought in her. (By countering only beliefs I find false, she would just end up adopting my worldview.) And in the end, it may be best to be really careful about sharing any of my opinions with her, instead using the Socratic method to help her test hers.

Is this what you meant? (And I love your username especially as I would like to be less dazed.)

Comment author: lessdazed 21 August 2011 12:29:33AM 0 points [-]

Yes, I didn't want to use the term "Socratic Method" because for me it brings to mindasking your three year old if there is an ideal form of a chair that all chairs approximate or the like, it is qualitatively the Socratic Method.

"I believe in Santa." "Why?" "Because all the kids in my class do and adults tell me about him and the kids who say he isn't real want to be mean." "I see."

Thank you about the name comment.