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I doubt the conclusion Chesterton wanted anyone to draw was "consider carefully before breaking down a wall, but build all the walls you want without due dilige
by karaterobot 3y ago
I doubt the conclusion Chesterton wanted anyone to draw was "consider carefully before breaking down a wall, but build all the walls you want without due diligence". The original context of the quote was an essay about reform. This is ultimately a thesis about conservatism in the old school sense. I think he wants you to think hard about the reasons for doing anything. I also don't think he'd refuse to tear down a wall if it presented an urgent threat—metaphorical wall or not. He's not a wall maximizing AI.
And, fortunately, I think you're the only one I've heard of who has interpret it in this other, interesting way.
- deleted 3y ago[deleted]
- jen20 3y agoI don’t think it’s particularly uncommon to find bureaucrats who use “we need to do more research from first principles” to frustrate progress of any form.
- MichaelZuo 3y agoHow do you reliably differentiate between actual, bonafide, needs for 'research from first principles' and claimed needs?
- jen20 3y agoI don’t know a general way, but have definitely found straightforward ways to tell in the past in specific circumstances.
- MichaelZuo 3y agoCan you list a few of them as examples?