Manfred comments on The function of belief - advice appreciated. - Less Wrong

1 Post author: Goobahman 25 March 2011 05:28AM

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Comment author: Manfred 26 March 2011 12:25:50AM 1 point [-]

I believe that it is wrong to kill people.

(you might also want to touch on moral beliefs)

Comment author: zefreak 26 March 2011 08:11:07AM 1 point [-]

I think of such statements as signaling a preference or emotion rather than expressing a proper belief. Alternatively, the belief that it is wrong to kill people could simply mean that you expect to be in a poor emotional state if killing people occurs.

I think having a new category is unnecessary and a confusion, especially focusing on 'moral beliefs' that are simply a subset of preferences, or 'beliefs about my emotional response to a course of events or situation'.