2 ms·
possible benefit to hearing about roko's basilisk: Consider the following beginner-level logical paradox. There are two statements, 1. Santa Claus exists 2.
by knodi123 10y ago
possible benefit to hearing about roko's basilisk:
Consider the following beginner-level logical paradox. There are two statements,
1. Santa Claus exists
2. Both of these sentences are false.
They cannot both be true, since 2 says they are both false. They cannot both be false, or 2 would become true. Therefore exactly one of them must be true, and one false. 2 cannot be true, because it says it is false itself. Therefore 1 must be true, and 2 false. Therefore Santa Claus exists.
If you hear the above, you might say "Well, self-referential binary logical statements are fraught, and easy to abuse for purposes of confusing people, in ways that are not obvious to the neophyte." You are now more resistant to hucksters who might use the above style of logic to convince you of something genuinely harmful.
Likewise, being aware of Roko's basilisk, and dismissing it for good reasons, might increase your "philosophical bullshit self-defense rating", leaving you a stronger person.