SaidAchmiz comments on Rationality Quotes March 2014 - Less Wrong

4 Post author: malcolmocean 01 March 2014 03:34PM

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Comment author: SaidAchmiz 13 March 2014 06:30:25PM *  4 points [-]

So you propose to spread rationality by encouraging irrationality?

Even assuming that this will work — that is, not just get people to buy into rationality (that part is simple) but actually become more rational, after this initial dose of irrational motivation — what do you suggest we do when our new recruits turn around and go "Hey, wait a tick; you guys got me into this through blatantly irrational arguments! You cynically and self-servingly pandered to my previously-held biases to get me on your side! You tricked me, you bastards!"? Grin and say "worked, didn't it"?

Comment author: JQuinton 13 March 2014 09:28:31PM -2 points [-]

So you propose to spread rationality by encouraging irrationality?

That seems to be what the quote is arguing.

Comment author: ArisKatsaris 13 March 2014 09:52:07PM 8 points [-]

The quote is spoken by a devil, who's deliberately seeking to destroy and devour a person...

Comment author: RolfAndreassen 15 March 2014 09:54:07PM 3 points [-]

The speaker does not himself believe that materialism is true; he is giving advice on how to make another believe a falsehood.

Comment author: SaidAchmiz 13 March 2014 10:37:51PM 1 point [-]

And do you think it's a good idea?