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TheOtherDave comments on Why didn't people (apparently?) understand the metaethics sequence? - Less Wrong Discussion

12 Post author: ChrisHallquist 29 October 2013 11:04PM

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Comment author: TheOtherDave 30 October 2013 02:33:31PM 0 points [-]

Yeah, a lot of the Metaethics Sequence seems to be trying to get to this point.

For my part, it seems easier to just stop using words like "good" if we believe they are likely to be misunderstood, rather than devoting a lot of energy to convincing everyone that they should mean something different by the word (or that the word really means something different from what they think it means, or whatever).

I'm content to say that we value what we currently value, because we currently value it, and asking whether that's good or not is asking an empty question.

Of course, I do understand the rhetorical value of getting to claim that our AI does good, rather than "merely" claiming that it implements what we currently value.

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Comment author: TheAncientGeek 04 November 2013 05:31:54PM 0 points [-]

I'm content to say that we value what we currently value, because we currently value it, and asking whether that's good or not is asking an empty question.

I am content to say the question is not empty, and if you assumptions lead you to suppose it is, then your assumptions need to be questioned.

Comment author: TheOtherDave 04 November 2013 05:55:24PM -1 points [-]

You seem to believe that I have arrived at my current position primarily via unquestioned assumptions.
What makes you conclude that?