Nic_Smith comments on Rationality and Relationships September 2011 - Less Wrong

1 [deleted] 01 September 2011 03:05PM

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Comment author: Larks 01 September 2011 08:58:00PM 12 points [-]

I don't understand why this comment doesn't have more upvotes.

It seems, on relationships at least, that LW resorts to a sort of phoney rationalism, where theory does a lot of the work, with very little recourse to evidence. Has anyone here ever linked to studies on the effects if marriage on happiness, productivity, etc.?

I don't want to link inside LW, so here's an example from outside of what I'm talking about; the apparant attempt to combine generalising from one example with deduction from first principles, and from this find a theory of relationships.

This is a shame, because I do think rationality has enourmously benefitted my current relationship. I just don't think LW usefully discusses such things.

Comment author: Nic_Smith 02 September 2011 02:43:33AM -2 points [-]

I don't want to link inside LW, so here's an example from outside of what I'm talking about; the apparant attempt to combine generalising from one example with deduction from first principles, and from this find a theory of relationships.

You're pointing to Curi as an example of LW thought?!

Comment author: Larks 02 September 2011 10:54:44PM 0 points [-]

No, I'm pointing to an article by William Godwin, which Curi quoted, as an it is an example of the mistake LWers make.