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Hariant comments on Rationality quotes: October 2010 - Less Wrong
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Philosopher: Can we ever be certain an observation is true?
Engineer: Yep.
Philosopher: How?
Engineer: Lookin'.
Scrollover of SMBC #1879
I'd say a good engineer would reply: No observation is true, but truth doesn't matter if it works.
In that case, I'd say you're using a much too binary definition of "true". I'm sure this has been posted a dozen times before, but it seems relevant:
"When people thought the earth was flat, they were wrong. When people thought the earth was spherical, they were wrong. But if you think that thinking the earth is spherical is just as wrong as thinking the earth is flat, then your view is wronger than both of them put together."
-Isaac Asimov
Exactly the sort of quote I was looking for. The philosopher is asking about absolute truth, the engineer only cares about finding parameters for a model of reality that works well enough for what you need it to do.
Sssso there AR threeeeeee Hariats. Toldem so Oh god, my head.
**Note: the dupes are on purpose
Sssso there AR threeeeeee Hariats. Toldem so Oh god, my head.
**Note: the dupes are on purpose