Stephen_Cole comments on Open thread, Aug. 10 - Aug. 16, 2015 - Less Wrong

5 Post author: MrMind 10 August 2015 07:29AM

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Comment author: [deleted] 11 August 2015 12:37:26PM -1 points [-]

The principle, stated simply in my bastardized version, is to believe no thing with probability 1.

Meeehhhh. Believe nothing empirical with probability 1.0. Believe formal and analytical proofs with probability 1.0.

Comment author: Stephen_Cole 14 August 2015 08:39:12PM 3 points [-]

I get your point that we can have greater belief in logical and mathematical knowledge. But (as pointed out by JoshuaZ) I have seen too many errors in proofs given at scientific meetings (and in submitted publications) to blindly believe just about anything.

Comment author: [deleted] 14 August 2015 11:52:54PM -1 points [-]

I get your point that we can have greater belief in logical and mathematical knowledge.

That wasn't quite my point. As a simple matter of axioms, if you condition on the formal system, a proven theorem has likelihood 1.0. Since all theorems are ultimately hypothetical statements anyway, conditioned on the usefulness of the underlying formal system rather than a Platonic "truth", once a theorem is proved, it can be genuinely said to have probability 1.0.

Comment author: Stephen_Cole 22 August 2015 04:13:59AM 0 points [-]

I will assume by likelihood you meant probability. I think you have removed by concern by conditioning on it. The theorem has probability 1, in your formal system. For me that is not probability 1, I don't give any formal system full control of my beliefs/probabilities.

Of course, I believe arithmetic with probability approaching 1. For now.