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CarlShulman comments on Model Uncertainty, Pascalian Reasoning and Utilitarianism - Less Wrong
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I was pretty happy before LW, until I learnt about utility maximization. It tells me that I ought to do what I don't want to do on any other than some highly abstract intellectual level. I don't even get the smallest bit of satisfaction out of it, just depression.
Saving galactic civilizations from superhuman monsters burning the cosmic commons, walking into death camps as to reduce the likelihood of being blackmailed, discounting people by the length of their address in the multiverse...taking all that seriously and keeping one's sanity, that's difficult for some people.
What LW means by 'rationality' is to win in a hard to grasp sense that is often completely detached from the happiness and desires of the individual.
If this is really having that effect on you, why not just focus on things other than abstract large-scale ethical dilemmas, e.g. education, career, relationships? Progress on those fronts is likely to make you happier, and if you want to come back to mind-bending ethical conundrums you'll then be able to do so in a more productive and pleasant way. Trying to do something you're depressed and conflicted about is likely to be ineffective or backfire.
Yeah, I have found that when my mind breaks, I have to relax while it heals before I can engage it in the same sort of vigorous exercise again.
It's important to remember that that's what is going on. When you become overloaded and concentrate on other things, you are not neglecting your duty. Your mind needs time to heal and become stronger by processing the new information you've given it.
Not necessarily, sometimes people are doing exactly that, depending on what you mean by "overloaded".
Hmm... I think I've slipped into "defending a thesis" mode here. The truth is that the comment you replied to was much too broad, and incorrect as stated, as you correctly pointed out. Thanks for catching my error!
You are right, it depends on the specifics. And if you focus on other things with no plan to ever return to the topic that troubled you, that's different. But if you've learned things that make demands on your mind beyond what it can meet, then failing to do what is in fact impossible for you is not negligence.