ChristianKl comments on Rationality test: Vote for trump - Less Wrong

-18 Post author: pwno 16 June 2016 08:33AM

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Comment author: gjm 16 June 2016 12:29:03PM -2 points [-]

I think pwno is proposing that we do it precisely because it doesn't align with our convictions. (He might advise Trump supporters to vote for Clinton.)

I'm sure I remember reading, but can't now find, an anecdote from Eliezer back in the OB days: he was with a group of people at the Western Wall in Jerusalem, where there's this tradition of writing prayers on pieces of paper and sticking them in cracks in the wall, so as a test of the sincerity of his unbelief he wrote "I pray for my parents to die" and stuck that in the wall. Same principle.

(Personally I think it's a silly principle. Human brains aren't very good at detaching themselves from their actions, and I would only cast a vote if I were happy for my preferences to get shifted a little bit towards the candidate I was voting for.)

Comment author: pwno 23 June 2016 08:16:46AM 1 point [-]

Funny you mention that anecdote because I actually wrote it http://lesswrong.com/lw/1l/the_mystery_of_the_haunted_rationalist/w9

Human brains aren't very good at detaching themselves from their actions

Isn't that what rationality is supposed to reduce?

Comment author: ChristianKl 23 June 2016 01:05:44PM *  1 point [-]

Isn't that what rationality is supposed to reduce?

No, rationality is about winning. Having certain values isn't irrational.

If you value your belief that's there are no ghost then it's irrational to be scared by ghosts.

The relationship of most of us to democracy is different. We generally do value it and think the rituals of democracy are valuable for our society.

Comment author: pwno 23 June 2016 07:41:20PM 0 points [-]

If you value your belief that's there are no ghost then it's irrational to be scared by ghosts.

Are you talking about "real" ghosts? You shouldn't be afraid of real ghosts because they don't exist, not because you value your belief that there are no ghosts. Why should beliefs have any value for you beyond their accuracy?