Qiaochu_Yuan comments on Against utility functions - Less Wrong

40 Post author: Qiaochu_Yuan 19 June 2014 05:56AM

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Comment author: Qiaochu_Yuan 22 June 2014 06:25:05PM 2 points [-]

Sure, if you're right about your utility function. The failure mode I'm worried about is people believing they know what their utility function is and being wrong, maybe disastrously wrong. Consistency is not a virtue if, in reaching for consistency, you make yourself consistent in the wrong direction. Inconsistency can be a hedge against making extremely bad decisions.