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wnoise comments on Stupid Questions Open Thread Round 4 - Less Wrong Discussion

6 Post author: lukeprog 27 August 2012 12:04AM

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Comment author: moreLytes 28 August 2012 01:51:55AM 1 point [-]

The example of stochastic evidence is indeed interesting.  But I find myself stuck on the first example.

If a new reasoner C were to update Pc(X) based on the testimony of A, and had an extremely high degree of confidence in her ability to generate correct opinions, he would presumably strongly gravitate towards Pa(X).   

Alternatively, suppose C is going to update Pc(X) based on the testimony of B.  Further, C has evidence outlining B's apathetic proclivities.  Therefore, he would presumably only weakly gravitate towards Pb(X).  

The above account may be shown to be confused.  But if it is not, why can C update based on evidence of infomed-belief, but A and B are precluded from similarly reflecting on their own testimony? Or, if such introspective activity is not non-normative, should they not strive to perform such an activity consistently?

Comment author: wnoise 30 August 2012 05:51:50AM 1 point [-]

They essentially have already updated on their own testimony.