3 ms·
I'm not much of a history buff, but I can't recall a good example of cultures or societal periods with emphasis on optimizing the unquantifiable (Or having no o
by xboxnolifes 5y ago
I'm not much of a history buff, but I can't recall a good example of cultures or societal periods with emphasis on optimizing the unquantifiable (Or having no optimization preference at all). The only decent examples that I can think are in laws, and that only seems to be favored because things are difficult to be quantified, not because the unquantifiable was more preferred.
- zepto 5y agoCan you think of a historical period in the distant part where there is evidence of a preference for quantification? It seem like you are simply assuming that was present.
- xboxnolifes 5y agoAssuming we are talking about innate and not cultural qualities: If I do not assume we optimize for the quantifiable, I must assume either (1) we optimize for the unquantifiable, (2) we do not favor one way or the other (innately), or (3) human nature has changed over a very short (few thousand year) time period. I was trying to rule out (1). (3) Seems pretty easy to rule out purely on our understanding of evolution. And (2) would follow after ruling out (1) and accepting the original assumption. But onto this: > Can you think of a historical period in the distant part where there is evidence of a preference for quantification? Tax law.
- zepto 5y ago‘Tax law’ is not a historical period, nor is it evidence of a preference for quantification in general. Given your apparent desire to be logical about this, it seems almost absurd that you would give this answer.
- xboxnolifes 5y agoTax law throughout all time. I didn't think it was necessary to clarify that point.