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Leonhart comments on [LINK] Another "LessWrongers are crazy" article - this time on Slate - Less Wrong
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This is such a Critical Empathy Fail that I can barely take you seriously. Here's a hint: original sin.
Not only is the original sin fictional evidence; its presupossitions about human nature are worthy of being taken far less seriously than my worst nonsense. The whole "things humans are not meant to know" theme goes too much beyond the necessary caution our flaws demand; it's blatantly misanthropic.
I don't think he's referring to the fruit of knowledge of good and evil, I think he's referring to the doctrine of original sin itself, which he's suggesting caused harm by occupying space in Christian brains.
Although belief in the inherent brokenness of humanity is a poisonous meme that can, at its worst, make you hate yourself and mess with the happiness of others, I see it as different from a basilisk. You can still function and lead a goal-driven life while under the influence of religious dogma. It does not paralyze you with terror the way a basilisk is reputed to do.
Unless the definition of "actual harm" was meant to contain this sentiment, it's sufficient for a counterexample to the general point you expressed above to merely be an idea that causes harm by occupying space in a brain, regardless of whether it's a true basilisk or not.