3 ms·

>"The point of religion is..." Citation please

inter_netuser 5y ago
Excellent demonstration of the point of the peer-review religion.
dustingetz 5y ago
Myerson, Roger B. 2009. "Learning from Schelling's Strategy of Conflict." Journal of Economic Literature, 47 (4): 1109-25. http://home.uchicago.edu/~rmyerson/research/stratofc.pdf http://home.uchicago.edu/~rmyerson/research/stratofc.pdf "To focus attention on one equilibrium with no higher appeal, it would be best to consult the highest possible authority. If the players share a cultural understanding that certain unpredictable processes may be used by the fundamental divine spirit of the universe to answer questions, and that this divinity cannot be bothered about the same question more than once, then a recommendation that is based on such a sacred randomization can serve as a focal coordination device that cannot be appealed to any higher arbitrator. Then the oracle's recommendations can be self-enforcing, without any further intervention by the divine spirit, provided that the recommendations to the players form an equilibrium. Thus the focal-point effect can admit a socially significant role for oracles and divination, as an effective foundation for social coordination. Indeed, when we look for effective focal factors, what can command people's attention more than the overall pattern of the whole universe? This divine pattern can serve as a focal determinant, however, only when players have a shared understanding about it can be interpreted into a selection among the set of Nash equilibria of their game. ... "In any society, it is vital to maintain a broad general agreement about who has legitimate authority in any situation. Thus, from our earlier remarks about the focal power of the divine, we can see why societies may find it useful or even essential to call for frequent testimony that the local system of rules and authority is compatible with the divine pattern of the universe. Although coordination within a society can be improved by such belief in the universal nature of its principles of justice and legitimate authority, such universalization of local law and authority makes it harder for people in one society to recognize the different forms of justice and authority in other societies (see Myerson, 2006). That is, the same forces that help people to achieve consistent coordinated expectations in a successful society can become forces for inconsistency of expectations across societies in international relations. Indeed, in international conflicts throughout history, people on each side have regularly failed to understand the other side's perception of justice in their conflict. ... "The focal-point effect may even offer a perspective on some ideas of theology, not about the nature of the divine, but about how societies use the divine. The focal-point effect is about environmental parameters that attract people's attention to one of many equilibria, and no aspect of our environment has a stronger claim on our attention than the divine pattern of the entire universe. Thus, coordination in a society can be strengthened when it culturally portrays local forms of law and authority as derived from universal divine principles."
- jkhdigital 5y ago
  Well played.
jdavis703 5y ago
OP’s statement is too broad and thus incorrect, but it is essentially correct about Abrahamic religions where the religious texts are clearly concerned with upholding state power. This obviously does not apply to many, if not most, other religions.
anonporridge 5y ago
Yeah. Successful religions are just a memeplex that have been exceedingly good at keeping themselves alive and growing. They don't have a point. They just exist.
- lcall 5y ago
  The church I belong to says its mission, or our duty as mem bers, is to: 1) live the gospel 2) care for those in need (which we very actively work at, locally and worldwide) 3) invite others to come to Christ (love, share, invite) 4) unite families for eternity My own notes/additions to the above include: 1) Live the gospel meaning to keep commandments (like the 10), do what one knows is right, be humble and faithful, etc in order to have the promised ~ "...peace in this life, and eternal life in the world to come." I have seen the results in stable multigenerational family organizations, and ability to work through very hard times. And to know life and hard things have a good purpose and is worth it. And so much more. 2-4) so very much could be said. example-- https://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2021-10-25/national-survey-latter-day-saints-deeper-feelings-community-trust-connection-230453 https://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2021-10-25/nation... ... which resonates with my neighborhood experiences, including with those not of our faith. And the extensive humanitarian work (where 100% of those specific donations go to those in need, none to admin overhead) and high voluntarism.
zd123 5y ago
Not everything needs a citation. Some things can be hypothesised about based on observation and common sense.

Excellent demonstration of the point of the peer-review religion.

Myerson, Roger B. 2009. "Learning from Schelling's Strategy of Conflict." Journal of Economic Literature, 47 (4): 1109-25. http://home.uchicago.edu/~rmyerson/research/stratofc.pdf http://home.uchicago.edu/~rmyerson/research/stratofc.pdf "To focus attention on one equilibrium with no higher appeal, it would be best to consult the highest possible authority. If the players share a cultural understanding that certain unpredictable processes may be used by the fundamental divine spirit of the universe to answer questions, and that this divinity cannot be bothered about the same question more than once, then a recommendation that is based on such a sacred randomization can serve as a focal coordination device that cannot be appealed to any higher arbitrator. Then the oracle's recommendations can be self-enforcing, without any further intervention by the divine spirit, provided that the recommendations to the players form an equilibrium. Thus the focal-point effect can admit a socially significant role for oracles and divination, as an effective foundation for social coordination. Indeed, when we look for effective focal factors, what can command people's attention more than the overall pattern of the whole universe? This divine pattern can serve as a focal determinant, however, only when players have a shared understanding about it can be interpreted into a selection among the set of Nash equilibria of their game. ... "In any society, it is vital to maintain a broad general agreement about who has legitimate authority in any situation. Thus, from our earlier remarks about the focal power of the divine, we can see why societies may find it useful or even essential to call for frequent testimony that the local system of rules and authority is compatible with the divine pattern of the universe. Although coordination within a society can be improved by such belief in the universal nature of its principles of justice and legitimate authority, such universalization of local law and authority makes it harder for people in one society to recognize the different forms of justice and authority in other societies (see Myerson, 2006). That is, the same forces that help people to achieve consistent coordinated expectations in a successful society can become forces for inconsistency of expectations across societies in international relations. Indeed, in international conflicts throughout history, people on each side have regularly failed to understand the other side's perception of justice in their conflict. ... "The focal-point effect may even offer a perspective on some ideas of theology, not about the nature of the divine, but about how societies use the divine. The focal-point effect is about environmental parameters that attract people's attention to one of many equilibria, and no aspect of our environment has a stronger claim on our attention than the divine pattern of the entire universe. Thus, coordination in a society can be strengthened when it culturally portrays local forms of law and authority as derived from universal divine principles."

jkhdigital 5y ago
Well played.

jdavis703 5y ago

OP’s statement is too broad and thus incorrect, but it is essentially correct about Abrahamic religions where the religious texts are clearly concerned with upholding state power. This obviously does not apply to many, if not most, other religions.

anonporridge 5y ago

Yeah. Successful religions are just a memeplex that have been exceedingly good at keeping themselves alive and growing. They don't have a point. They just exist.

lcall 5y ago
The church I belong to says its mission, or our duty as mem bers, is to: 1) live the gospel 2) care for those in need (which we very actively work at, locally and worldwide) 3) invite others to come to Christ (love, share, invite) 4) unite families for eternity My own notes/additions to the above include: 1) Live the gospel meaning to keep commandments (like the 10), do what one knows is right, be humble and faithful, etc in order to have the promised ~ "...peace in this life, and eternal life in the world to come." I have seen the results in stable multigenerational family organizations, and ability to work through very hard times. And to know life and hard things have a good purpose and is worth it. And so much more. 2-4) so very much could be said. example-- https://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2021-10-25/national-survey-latter-day-saints-deeper-feelings-community-trust-connection-230453 https://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2021-10-25/nation... ... which resonates with my neighborhood experiences, including with those not of our faith. And the extensive humanitarian work (where 100% of those specific donations go to those in need, none to admin overhead) and high voluntarism.

zd123 5y ago

Not everything needs a citation. Some things can be hypothesised about based on observation and common sense.