Discussion about this post

User's avatar
Overcoming Bias Commenter's avatar

---"I'll say we tend to be mistaken about how much our wants depend on contextual details."

I have noticed people tend to ignore this when asked about counter-factual behavior. They tend to think about what they'd do 'right-now' motives, or in abstract 'far mode' as you describe it. For example, if asked if they would kill someone who had never hurt them, many non-agression/pacifists type affirm that they would not, although from what we know of mass-conscription this is not often true of even pacifists and objectors.

Similar to your point about various reasons people might act more along with your ideals, a pacifist might well refuse to shoot his sister or someone he ethnically identifies with, thinking of it morally because the contrary context - not-his-sister - is out of sight, out of mind.

Expand full comment
Overcoming Bias Commenter's avatar

I agree with manon.I, me, the conscious mind want to be in charge of my life, not a backseat driver to a chimp willing to kill and steal without a second thought if it gets desperate.Chimp mind is useful, cause rational mind is sloooowww, but chimp brain needs to be my chauffeur not in charge.

Expand full comment
16 more comments...

No posts