mwengler comments on Making My Peace with Belief - Less Wrong

14 Post author: OrphanWilde 03 December 2015 08:36PM

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Comment author: mwengler 04 December 2015 04:25:54PM 1 point [-]

<i>Happiness is the indicator for whether or not a thing works for people.</i>

I don't think so.

Prevalence is the primary indicator of whether or not a thing works for people. Does a civilization which promotes patriotism in the local population make the people happier by doing this? I doubt it. But they probably do make their civilization more robust, more fit in a survival sense by doing so.

Comment author: OrphanWilde 04 December 2015 04:37:45PM 0 points [-]

What works for persons, if you prefer. Patriotism helps civilization; does it help a person?