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torekp comments on Philosophers and seeking answers - Less Wrong Discussion

25 Post author: Yvain 04 February 2011 10:51PM

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Comment author: torekp 06 February 2011 07:54:07PM 0 points [-]

But but ... warm fuzzies are (an important species of) utilons.

And, perhaps more important, rationality isn't wholly goal-directed, so I expect plenty of experts to continue to try to convince carpenters. Rationalists reason - that's how we roll. Of course, one can always redefine "the goal" to include the exercise of reason, as such (which would still misrepresent what is more nearly a habit than a goal). Hmm - this topic is quite the can of worms. I might open it properly later.

Comment author: TheOtherDave 06 February 2011 09:21:20PM 0 points [-]

I think this exchange has become completely unmoored at this point.

I have no objection to reasoning about stuff for the fun of it, or out of habit, or to signal one's in-group status or one's superiority, or various other things. And I agree with you that many people, most especially soi-disant rationalists, do this all the time.

But I very much doubt that this is what Plasmon was getting at, or what EY was talking about, or what Yvain was talking about.