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ChristianKl comments on How do we learn from errors? - Less Wrong Discussion

3 Post author: ChristianKl 24 May 2015 09:56PM

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Comment author: [deleted] 25 May 2015 02:09:09AM 1 point [-]

"When I speak of reason or rationalism, all I mean is the conviction that we can learn through criticism of our mistakes and errors, especially through criticism by others, and eventually also through self-criticism. A rationalist is simply someone for whom it is more important to learn than to be proved right; someone who is willing to learn from others — not by simply taking over another's opinions, but by gladly allowing others to criticize his ideas and by gladly criticizing the ideas of others. The emphasis here is on the idea of criticism or, to be more precise, critical discussion. The genuine rationalist does not think that he or anyone else is in possession of the truth; nor does he think that mere criticism as such helps us achieve new ideas. But he does think that, in the sphere of ideas, only critical discussion can help us sort the wheat from the chaff. He is well aware that acceptance or rejection of an idea is never a purely rational matter; but he thinks that only critical discussion can give us the maturity to see an idea from more and more sides and to make a correct judgement of it." - Karl Popper, 'All Life is Problem Solving' (1999)

Karl Popper'a method influences me. I consider errors identified as the main (perhaps only) way to be less wrong.

Comment author: ChristianKl 25 May 2015 12:47:50PM 0 points [-]

But he does think that, in the sphere of ideas, only critical discussion can help us sort the wheat from the chaff.

So you can't learn from mistakes if you don't discuss the issue at hand with other people?

Comment author: [deleted] 26 May 2015 10:59:48AM 0 points [-]

I consider errors identified as the main (perhaps only) way to be less wrong. Popper emphasized the benefits of making mistakes in public even further.