Ali comments on No, Really, I've Deceived Myself - Less Wrong
You are viewing a comment permalink. View the original post to see all comments and the full post content.
You are viewing a comment permalink. View the original post to see all comments and the full post content.
Comments (74)
Many people cannot distinguish between levels of indirection. To them, "I believe X" and "X" are the same thing, and therefore, reasons why it is beneficial to believe X are also reasons why X is true. I think this, rather than any sort of deliberate self deception, is what you have observed.
I expect it is an easy distinction for most people whom Eliezer describes as "highly intelligent".
It depends on how seriously they took the conversation.
I completely agree with Jim, the difference between, "I believe God exist" and "God exist" is a debate in itself
I also think that Eliezer should have brought up this point to her attention to really get the response she "believes in"
For many people saying "I believe God exists" is a stronger proposition than "I know God exist"