Annoyance comments on A social norm against unjustified opinions? - Less Wrong

11 Post author: Kaj_Sotala 29 May 2009 11:25AM

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Comment author: alvarojabril 29 May 2009 10:00:17PM *  0 points [-]

"When it happens to reinforce correctness, it's not needed"

Can you elaborate?

I'll note that rationality isn't an end. My ideal world state would involve a healthy serving of both rationality and social cohesion. There are many situations in which these forces work in tandem and many where they're at odds.

A perfect example is this site. There are rules the community follows to maintain a certain level of social cohesion, which in turn aides us in the pursuit of rationality. Or are the rules not needed?

Comment author: Annoyance 30 May 2009 04:39:13PM 0 points [-]

I'll note that rationality isn't an end.

Why can't it be?

There are rules the community follows to maintain a certain level of social cohesion, which in turn aides us in the pursuit of rationality.

How is that demonstrated?

Comment author: AdeleneDawner 30 May 2009 04:50:06PM 0 points [-]

There are rules the community follows to maintain a certain level of social cohesion, which in turn aides us in the pursuit of rationality.

How is that demonstrated?

Those rules are rarely discussed outright, at least not comprehensively.

I'm pretty sure if I started posting half of my comments in pig-Latin or French or something, for no apparent reason, and refused to explain or stop, I'd be asked to leave fairly quickly, though. That all communication will be in plain English unless there's a reason for it not to be is one example. I'm sure there are others.

Comment author: alvarojabril 30 May 2009 05:09:34PM 0 points [-]

It's demonstrated by the fact that you can up/down vote and report anyone's posts, and that you need a certain number of upvotes to write articles. This is a method of policing the discourse on the site so that social cohesion doesn't break down to an extent which impairs our discussion. These mechanisms "reinforce correctness," in your terms. So I'll ask again, can we do away with them?

I don't think humanity follows obviously from rationality, which is what I meant about rationality being a means rather than an end.

Comment author: Annoyance 30 May 2009 05:12:29PM -2 points [-]

These mechanisms "reinforce correctness," in your terms.

You're assuming a fact not in evidence.

Comment author: alvarojabril 30 May 2009 05:18:15PM *  0 points [-]

So you tell me what you think they're for, then.