You're looking at Less Wrong's discussion board. This includes all posts, including those that haven't been promoted to the front page yet. For more information, see About Less Wrong.

Konkvistador comments on Leaving a line of retreat for theists - Less Wrong Discussion

10 [deleted] 23 April 2011 01:04AM

You are viewing a comment permalink. View the original post to see all comments and the full post content.

Comments (19)

You are viewing a single comment's thread. Show more comments above.

Comment author: [deleted] 23 April 2011 06:31:06PM 2 points [-]

I agree. Thought when the amorphous blobs of beliefs are tied to religion I at least sort of expect them to be there and plan accordingly.

Comment author: djcb 24 April 2011 08:48:24AM 1 point [-]

So, you have some specific method of dealing with these people and their blobs? Can you elaborate? My usual method is avoiding debates with such people, but I wonder if there some better way...

Comment author: Pavitra 24 April 2011 04:44:45PM 3 points [-]

Speak in Deep Wisdom. Choose the things you would like them to believe, such as "form beliefs based on evidence", and make it sound like a beautiful poetic truth.

This borders dangerously on Dark Arts, though. If someone is capable of better forms of reasoning, then only use the best they're capable of, even if a more flawed argument could get them to the right conclusion. And, of course, try to convey the most meta ideas you can -- "use evidence", not "disbelieve religion".