roystgnr comments on Rationality Quotes May 2014 - Less Wrong

4 Post author: elharo 01 May 2014 09:45AM

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Comment author: roystgnr 07 May 2014 03:43:32PM 1 point [-]

True. But am I just being biased when I interpret that as support for my claim? "Sham acupuncture" and even placebo pills given to people who are told they're taking placebos both show significant positive effects. I'd be very surprised if placebo pills given to people who are told they're taking real "homeopathic" medicine didn't show real effects too.

Comment author: Lumifer 07 May 2014 04:23:55PM 0 points [-]

But am I just being biased when I interpret that as support for my claim?

What is your claim, precisely?

Sure, giving homeopathic pills to people is likely to make them feel better via placebo. But by the same reasoning, this will also work for voodoo rituals, holy water, and mind rays from outer space.