RobertLumley comments on LessWrong opinion of Nietzsche? - Less Wrong

3 Post author: TheatreAddict 25 November 2011 04:08PM

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Comment author: RobertLumley 25 November 2011 05:05:32PM 20 points [-]

The modifier "rationalist" is pretty unnecessary - I'd just ask for "Opinions on Nietzsche". There seems no good reason for putting it in and several good ones for leaving it out. As a semantic point, it sends off dark arts alarms when you ask for the "rationalist opinion" on Nietzsche. While I certainly think that, in this case, it's possible to rationally evaluate Nietzsche, asking for consensus of "rationalist opinions" is going to get very cultish - it implies that you're not a rationalist if you disagree. And there shouldn't necessarily be a "rationalist opinion" on everything. There are some things that aren't issues of rationality - like asking for the "rationalist opinion" on what the best flavor of ice cream is.

Comment author: [deleted] 25 November 2011 06:09:26PM 12 points [-]

We slowly need to have a post entitled "Do not use the word "rationalist" in titles" so we can link to it instead of writing out the same post basically over and over again.

Comment author: RobertLumley 25 November 2011 06:16:26PM 7 points [-]

Sounds like someone volunteering to write it. ;-)

Comment author: [deleted] 25 November 2011 11:00:43PM *  3 points [-]

There really isn't anything like that already? If there isn't I may as well...

Comment author: RobertLumley 25 November 2011 11:17:23PM 1 point [-]

I don't really know if there is or not. Could ask around, maybe make a discussion post?

Comment author: [deleted] 26 November 2011 09:27:03AM *  3 points [-]

This I think implicitly covers some objections to using "rational" and "rationalist" in post titles.

Comment author: [deleted] 26 November 2011 12:07:35AM *  2 points [-]

I agree, although that particular title is a little self-undermining.

Perhaps "Concerning the use of the words 'rational' and 'rationalist' in post titles" would be better?

Comment author: [deleted] 26 November 2011 09:15:53AM *  1 point [-]

It is self-undermining on purpose. Though your title may work better.

Comment author: CarlShulman 25 November 2011 11:39:20PM *  1 point [-]

I will probably upvote this post if you write it.

Comment author: Emile 25 November 2011 05:14:36PM *  7 points [-]

Seconded - I would have much prefered "LessWrong opinion on Nietzsche" or something (I'd prefer leaving some qualifier, to remind each other that we should try and maintain a certain standard of discourse and not just get "Nietzsche? tl; dr.").

Comment author: Vladimir_Nesov 26 November 2011 04:32:44AM *  6 points [-]

There are some things that aren't issues of rationality - like asking for the "rationalist opinion" on what the best flavor of ice cream is.

Nope. It's either an error in the question (not including "for whom"), or a matter on which one can be in error. Ice cream bias and so on. Very serious stuff.