Difference between revisions of "Least convenient possible world"
From Lesswrongwiki
(→Other posts: Added Luke's post) |
|||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
'''Least convenient possible world''' (or '''LCPW''') is a technique for enforcing intellectual honesty, to be used when arguing against an idea. The essence of the technique is to assume that all the specific details will align with the idea against which you are arguing, i.e. to consider the idea in the context of a least convenient [[possible world]], where every circumstance is colluding against your objections and counterarguments. This approach ensures that your objections are [[epistemic hygiene|strong enough]], running minimal risk of being [[rationalization|rationalizations]] for your [[color politics|position]]. | '''Least convenient possible world''' (or '''LCPW''') is a technique for enforcing intellectual honesty, to be used when arguing against an idea. The essence of the technique is to assume that all the specific details will align with the idea against which you are arguing, i.e. to consider the idea in the context of a least convenient [[possible world]], where every circumstance is colluding against your objections and counterarguments. This approach ensures that your objections are [[epistemic hygiene|strong enough]], running minimal risk of being [[rationalization|rationalizations]] for your [[color politics|position]]. | ||
| − | == | + | ==Blog posts== |
*[http://lesswrong.com/lw/2k/the_least_convenient_possible_world/ The Least Convenient Possible World] by [[Yvain]] | *[http://lesswrong.com/lw/2k/the_least_convenient_possible_world/ The Least Convenient Possible World] by [[Yvain]] | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
*[http://lesswrong.com/lw/1p1/logical_rudeness/ Logical Rudeness] | *[http://lesswrong.com/lw/1p1/logical_rudeness/ Logical Rudeness] | ||
*[http://lesswrong.com/lw/wj/is_that_your_true_rejection/ Is That Your True Rejection?] | *[http://lesswrong.com/lw/wj/is_that_your_true_rejection/ Is That Your True Rejection?] | ||
*[http://lesswrong.com/lw/85h/better_disagreement/ Better Disagreement] by [[lukeprog]] | *[http://lesswrong.com/lw/85h/better_disagreement/ Better Disagreement] by [[lukeprog]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==External links== | ||
| + | |||
| + | *[http://www.cato-unbound.org/2011/09/07/eliezer-yudkowsky/is-that-your-true-rejection/ Is That Your True Rejection?] at Cato Unbound, by [[Eliezer Yudkowsky]] | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
| Line 15: | Line 16: | ||
*[[Rationalization]] | *[[Rationalization]] | ||
*[[Epistemic hygiene]] | *[[Epistemic hygiene]] | ||
| + | *[[Disagreement]] | ||
*[[Rationalist taboo]] | *[[Rationalist taboo]] | ||
*[[Reversal test]] | *[[Reversal test]] | ||
| − | *[[How To Actually Change Your Mind | + | *[[How To Actually Change Your Mind]] |
[[Category:Techniques]] | [[Category:Techniques]] | ||
[[Category:Concepts]] | [[Category:Concepts]] | ||
[[Category:Jargon]] | [[Category:Jargon]] | ||
Latest revision as of 07:51, 15 March 2012
Least convenient possible world (or LCPW) is a technique for enforcing intellectual honesty, to be used when arguing against an idea. The essence of the technique is to assume that all the specific details will align with the idea against which you are arguing, i.e. to consider the idea in the context of a least convenient possible world, where every circumstance is colluding against your objections and counterarguments. This approach ensures that your objections are strong enough, running minimal risk of being rationalizations for your position.
Blog posts
- The Least Convenient Possible World by Yvain
- Logical Rudeness
- Is That Your True Rejection?
- Better Disagreement by lukeprog
External links
- Is That Your True Rejection? at Cato Unbound, by Eliezer Yudkowsky
