thomblake comments on The bias shield - Less Wrong

18 Post author: PhilGoetz 31 December 2011 05:44PM

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Comment author: thomblake 03 January 2012 07:32:57PM 0 points [-]

Goetz's Razor says, When comparing explanations for a group's behavior, choose the one that requires the least intelligence.

An excellent policy. I use this one for individuals too.

Comment author: Dr_Manhattan 03 January 2012 07:46:47PM 0 points [-]

Comment author: thomblake 03 January 2012 07:54:40PM 0 points [-]

Similar, but different emphasis. It's actually just an application of Occam's Razor. Use the accurate model with the fewest moving parts.

And I prefer this formulation of Hanlon's Razor:

Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by intelligence

(with stupidity as a special case).