Eugine_Nier comments on 2012 Survey Results - Less Wrong

80 Post author: Yvain 07 December 2012 09:04PM

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Comment author: Multiheaded 10 December 2012 09:34:16AM *  0 points [-]

Their more scientifically minded members as say John Derbyshire (who you consider to have a grim heart) are rather reasonable.

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If, on the other hand, group underachievement is a consequence of the laws of biology working on human populations, there is no blame to assign. The fact of group inequalities, even in societies that have striven mightily to remove them, is as natural and inevitable as individual inequality, which nobody minds very much. The only proper object of blame is Mother Nature; and she is capable of inflicting far worse things on us than mere statistical disparities between ancient inbred populations... ...Under a reigning philosophy of candor and realism, each of us can strive to be the best he can be, to play as best he can the hand he's been dealt, in liberty and equality under the law.

This might fit my definition of "reason"... but what is noble or compassionate about it? How is Derbyshire preaching acceptance of inequality and submission to Nature different from the Catholic Church preaching acceptance of death and submission to God? If you think it reasonable to loathe death, why would you not loathe the genetic lottery?

So, in defiance of this psychological difference, and in defiance of politics, let me point out that a group injustice has no existence apart from injustice to individuals It's individuals who have brains to experience suffering. It's individuals who deserve, and often don't get, a fair chance at life. If God has not given intelligence in equal measure to all his children, God stands convicted of a crime against humanity, period. Skin colour has nothing to do with it, nothing at all.

I support Eliezer completely. Therefore I have to oppose Derbyshire unflinchingly.

Comment author: Eugine_Nier 12 December 2012 08:30:51AM 2 points [-]

If you think it reasonable to loathe death, why would you not loathe the genetic lottery?

If God has not given intelligence in equal measure to all his children, God stands convicted of a crime against humanity, period. Skin colour has nothing to do with it, nothing at all.

Do you also believe that it's a crime against humanity for God not to have given all humans (or even any humans) AGI-level intelligence?

Comment author: MugaSofer 12 December 2012 10:49:13AM 1 point [-]

Clearly, he means we should kill anyone who deviates from the average because they devalue the rest.