Compare this with this; the category you're thinking of is almost surely the latter, regardless if whether or not there is a meaningful distinction between instrumental rationality everywhere else and "the particular kind of instrumental rationality espoused on Less Wrong."
I am not referring to instrumental rationality in general (as there are many kinds that are incompatible with the ideology common to those of this community). It is as if I was speculating on the future of the "Chevy Camaro" and you asked me if I meant "automobile".
Yes, I realise the term I used is problematic; that's why I put it in scare quotes. I simply don't know of a better name for what I am referring to. Grognor reminded me of this and this, but while those argue against using "rationalism" in the way that is common around these parts (and is correct in doing so) it doesn't supply a viable alternative. Should I really say "Less Wrongism"?
I am not referring to instrumental rationality in general (as there are many kinds that are incompatible with the ideology common to those of this community).
Let's say I work in the field of screw theory; unfortunately, the field is mostly barren, and so few people would understand if I were to claim to be a screw theorist. Rather, I'd claim to study kinematics, even though my "ideology" of kinematics were very different from "traditional kinematics". Your alternative seems to be akin to calling the screw theorist a natural philosoph...
Hello all,
I'm working on a top-level post about how Stoicism is an instrumentally useful philosophy to adopt, and figured I should give other philosophies a fair shake as well. Does anyone know of any other philosophies out there that seem to be practically useful or otherwise provide strategies and thought patterns that have practical value? A solid grounding in experimental research is of course desirable.