Comment on Rationality Quotes April 2012

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 15:56:09 GMT

Say you believe that all beliefs should pay rent in anticipated experiences. What experiences do you anticipate only because you hold this belief?

Well, that's a "should" statement, so we cash it out in terms of desirable outcomes, e.g.:

People who spend more time elaborating on their non-anticipatory beliefs will not get as much benefit from doing so as people who spend more time updating anticipatory beliefs.

If two people (or groups, or disciplines) ostensibly aim at the same goals, and deploy similar amounts of resources and effort; but one focuses its efforts with anticipation-controlling beliefs while the other relies on non-anticipation-controlling beliefs, then the former will achieve the goals more than the latter. (Examples could be found in charities with the goal of saving lives; or in martial arts schools with the goal of winning fights.)

Discuss