2 ms·
You sound like you're using the word "rationalist" in a way which is at odds with the usual meaning of the term. How do you define it, and why do you define it
by msla 5y ago
You sound like you're using the word "rationalist" in a way which is at odds with the usual meaning of the term. How do you define it, and why do you define it that way?
- klyrs 5y agoSounds to me like GP is drawing from personal experience consuming a variety of rationalist venues online, and making generalizations from there. Thus, they're applying a descriptivist methodology. I'm not sure that your prescriptivist methodology, working from a definition of rationalism, will produce a satisfactory conclusion. When folks approach an issue with an inherent disagreement about descriptive/prescriptive approaches, the most common outcome seems to be a spiral towards "no true scottsman."
- msla 5y agoI'm not trying for a prescriptivist approach, merely one based on my own experience with the term "rational" and similar.
- klyrs 5y agoThe Efficient Market Hypothesis famously assumes that investors are "rational." It's been widely ridiculed as unrealistic, because investors are human, and wont to irrational action. Perhaps one shouldn't assume that rationalists are rational; a more, shall I say, reasoned approach would be to evaluate those espousing Rationalism on the (little-r) rationality of their words and actions. Though, there are those who would be offended by one's findings, yea or nay.
- NoahTheDuke 5y agoI suspect they’re using it the same way it’s used on Less Wrong[0]. [0]: https://www.lesswrong.com/tag/rationalist-movement https://www.lesswrong.com/tag/rationalist-movement