3 ms·

> For in the Confucian ideal, officials attracted by the magnetic effect of the emperor’s moral example were supposed to be sufficiently righteous and high-mind

> For in the Confucian ideal, officials attracted by the magnetic effect of the emperor’s moral example were supposed to be sufficiently righteous and high-minded to recognize their guilt and penalise themselves. Not to do would be to acknowledge their inadequacy for office in the first place and to cast a slur on the judgement and moral calibre of the emperor... Sounds like Bridgewater in the book The Firm. It's a pity about Sima Qian but today we know the optimal survival strategy in his place as the Kolmogorov Option.

deleted 3y ago
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gradschoolfail 3y ago
“truth has no need for heroes” Thats what the Kolmogorov option is according to Scott Aaronson ——-the originator of the term? >Hilbert said that science, unlike religion, has no need for martyrs, because it’s based on facts that can’t be denied indefinitely. Given that, Hilbert considered Galileo’s response to be precisely correct: in effect Galileo told the Inquisitors, hey, you’re the ones with the torture rack. Just tell me which way you want it. I can have the earth orbiting Mars and Venus in figure-eights by tomorrow if you decree it so. https://scottaaronson.blog/?p=3376 https://scottaaronson.blog/?p=3376
- spacebanana7 3y ago
  > unlike religion, has no need for martyrs, because it’s based on facts that can’t be denied indefinite Justin Martyr et al didn’t believe their deaths affected the truth of their theology. But their Matrydom spread awareness to others in a morally helpful way (assuming Christianity is true). Similarly, scientists who sustain viewpoints through difficult times don’t impact the truth of the underlying science. But they do help spread correct beliefs about germ theory etc in a morally helpful way (again, assuming their theory is correct - this part cannot be overstated).
- Vecr 3y ago
  Is that actually true? If you go along with something that gets everyone killed, there's no do-over. Even if the core of the dispute is on scientific fact.
- schiffern 3y ago
  >science... is based on facts that can’t be denied indefinitely This could apply to physics, but history (another kind of "truth") can still be written by the victors even in the long-term. Look at Carthage, etc. The old joke is that "all science disciplines are either physics or stamp collecting." The physics can always be re-discovered per Aaronson, but stamps (or entire civilizations) can be destroyed, leading to some parts of historical knowledge being lost irrevocably.

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gradschoolfail 3y ago

“truth has no need for heroes” Thats what the Kolmogorov option is according to Scott Aaronson ——-the originator of the term? >Hilbert said that science, unlike religion, has no need for martyrs, because it’s based on facts that can’t be denied indefinitely. Given that, Hilbert considered Galileo’s response to be precisely correct: in effect Galileo told the Inquisitors, hey, you’re the ones with the torture rack. Just tell me which way you want it. I can have the earth orbiting Mars and Venus in figure-eights by tomorrow if you decree it so. https://scottaaronson.blog/?p=3376 https://scottaaronson.blog/?p=3376

spacebanana7 3y ago
> unlike religion, has no need for martyrs, because it’s based on facts that can’t be denied indefinite Justin Martyr et al didn’t believe their deaths affected the truth of their theology. But their Matrydom spread awareness to others in a morally helpful way (assuming Christianity is true). Similarly, scientists who sustain viewpoints through difficult times don’t impact the truth of the underlying science. But they do help spread correct beliefs about germ theory etc in a morally helpful way (again, assuming their theory is correct - this part cannot be overstated).
Vecr 3y ago
Is that actually true? If you go along with something that gets everyone killed, there's no do-over. Even if the core of the dispute is on scientific fact.
schiffern 3y ago
>science... is based on facts that can’t be denied indefinitely This could apply to physics, but history (another kind of "truth") can still be written by the victors even in the long-term. Look at Carthage, etc. The old joke is that "all science disciplines are either physics or stamp collecting." The physics can always be re-discovered per Aaronson, but stamps (or entire civilizations) can be destroyed, leading to some parts of historical knowledge being lost irrevocably.