JGWeissman comments on You don't need Kant - Less Wrong

21 Post author: Andrew 01 April 2009 06:09PM

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Comment author: JGWeissman 02 April 2009 06:46:49PM 7 points [-]

I expect a good computer programmer to be effective in a language he has not seen before by looking up the syntax as he needs it, and to increase his effectiveness over time by learning the syntax through use, without any specific effort of memorization. At least, provided the novel language is good.

Comment author: John_Maxwell_IV 02 April 2009 09:21:03PM 2 points [-]

Good point. Now that you frame things in terms of how knowledge is acquired, the only thing I'm glad to have memorized is math facts in elementary school. But they have been pretty helpful!