mamert comments on A Failed Just-So Story - Less Wrong

11 Post author: Eliezer_Yudkowsky 05 January 2008 06:35AM

You are viewing a comment permalink. View the original post to see all comments and the full post content.

Comments (49)

Sort By: Old

You are viewing a single comment's thread. Show more comments above.

Comment author: mamert 20 October 2015 08:44:10AM -1 points [-]

"were never "invented" by anyone" - Dubious claim, Gene.

What is claimed here is that, whether in any way reflecting something real or not, religious practices frequently came into being as particularly effective deceptions. Step 1: convince others you can do magic. Step 2: make yourself less of a target by pretending to be a chosen servant of an invisible dragon. This also ensures obedience even in your absence. Step 3: profit better than any warlord. Step 4: the invisible dragon survives you.