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

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

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Comment author: Tristram_Brelstaff 05 January 2008 08:51:28AM 5 points [-]

Heretics were routinely burned alive just a few centuries ago. Or stoned to death, or executed by whatever method local fashion demands. Questioning the local gods is the notional crime for which Socrates was made to drink hemlock.

These pressures would also strongly select for cheats who simulate faith without having the real thing, leading to a religious form of Batesian mimicry.

Comment author: Kenny 23 January 2013 02:24:55AM 3 points [-]

Religious mimicry could explain belief in belief, especially for costly beliefs that are weakly monitored or enforced.

Comment author: mamert 20 October 2015 08:11:07AM -1 points [-]

...and thus strengthening the "see how many people believe already?" "argument". Alternately, if they are found out, several others - orbiting around No True Scotsman and several kinds of fear.

Also, not Batesian - it's the same species, and it's a lot of risk raising your offspring to only pretend.

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