Vladimir_Nesov comments on Hyakujo's Fox - Less Wrong

12 Post author: Eliezer_Yudkowsky 24 March 2009 10:14AM

You are viewing a comment permalink. View the original post to see all comments and the full post content.

Comments (31)

You are viewing a single comment's thread.

Comment author: Vladimir_Nesov 24 March 2009 04:18:14PM 8 points [-]

Sounds profound, but I wonder whether the correctness of these koans shows anything besides the selection bias.

Comment author: steven0461 24 March 2009 05:30:56PM 4 points [-]

Indeed. If you claim all the time that things aren't true and yet aren't not true, and that something is one with some other thing, some of the claims are going to resemble actual insights.

If this came from real understanding, why did they single out "the enlightened man" when it applies to everyone?

Comment author: Annoyance 24 March 2009 05:35:49PM 10 points [-]

Because it doesn't apply to everyone.

Normal people have intentions, and try to initiate actions, that are not compatible with the nature of things, and thus are not one with any descriptions of that nature. The enlightened know what the rules are and do not attempt to act in ways not in accordance with them.

Everyone is bound by the laws of nature. The enlightened are not restricted by them.

Comment author: pjeby 24 March 2009 08:18:38PM 5 points [-]

Everyone is bound by the laws of nature. The enlightened are not restricted by them.

An excellent way of putting it! I'm going to have to steal that one. ;-) Is it yours? I see that Google only finds your comment, so how would you like to be attributed?

(The closest phrasing I had to this is, "The only limitations you have, besides those imposed by the laws of physics, are the ones that come from your own mind." Your version is more compact and poetic.)

Comment author: Annoyance 25 March 2009 02:11:26PM 1 point [-]

LM: "The only way a woman could rule in the kingdom of Ch'in. It's my gift to him. He was a vicious tyrant. I'm going to make him the most loved of rulers."

X: "Don't you get sick of him getting the credit for everything that you do?"

LM: "Not at all. As long as good is done."

X: "You write down all that wisdom stuff-- huh?"

LM: "Yes-- in his book."

X: "You give him credit for that, too?"

LM: "This wisdom comes from Heaven. What difference does it make who gets credit for it-- Lao Ma or Lao Tzu?"

  • The Debt
Comment author: Annoyance 24 March 2009 06:21:10PM 1 point [-]

Hey, I don't make the Zen dogma, I just explain how the world looks from that perspective. If you dislike its teachings, that isn't my problem.