TimS comments on Don’t Apply the Principle of Charity to Yourself - Less Wrong

48 Post author: UnclGhost 19 November 2011 07:26PM

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Tags: dark arts anti-epistemology

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Comment author: Vladimir_Nesov 19 November 2011 11:27:12PM *  0 points [-]

The other uses words in the ordinary way;
The other makes true statements;
The other makes valid arguments;
The other says something interesting.

I disagree with "charity becomes a matter of taste," and think instead that one should always apply each version.

There are some items missing from the list, such as:

The Great Leader is always right;
The Holy Scripture makes true statements;
The Universe is just and caring.

Motivated cognition is your enemy. Don't invite it to feast on your mind.

Comment author: TimS 21 November 2011 05:25:03PM *  0 points [-]

The principle of charity is an interpretive framework, not a method for evaluating truth. I can read an argument charitably and still think it is wrong. In other words, the principle of charity can be paraphrased as "Assume your debater is not being Logically Rude." DH7 arguments help ensure that your discussions are increasing the truth of your beliefs, and they require reading your opponent generously.

Comment author: lessdazed 21 November 2011 05:44:25PM 1 point [-]

I did many hours of reading about this yesterday. I recommend holding off on arguing about it or spending time researching it until I have (or haven't) posted on this topic in the near future.

Comment author: Vladimir_Nesov 21 November 2011 05:36:45PM *  0 points [-]

DH7 arguments [...] require reading your opponent generously.

False, see this comment.

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