First, I consider our knowledge of psychology today to be roughly equivalent to that of alchemists when alchemy was popular. Like with alchemy, our main advantage over previous generations is that we’re doing lots of experiments and starting to notice vague patterns, but we still don’t have any systematic or reliable knowledge of what is actually going on. It is premature to seriously expect to change human nature.
Improving our knowledge of psychology to the point where we can actually figure things out could have a major positive effect on society. The same could be said for other branches of science. I think basic science is a potentially high-value cause, but I don’t see why psychology should be singled out.
Second, this cause is not neglected. It is one of the major issues intellectuals have been grappling with for centuries or more. Framing the issue in terms of “tribalism” may be a novelty, but I don’t see it as an improvement.
Finally, I’m not saying that there’s nothing the effective altruism community can do about tribalism. I’m saying I don’t see how this post is helping.
edit: As an aside, I’m now wondering if I might be expressing the point too rudely, especially the last paragraph. I hope we manage to communicate effectively in spite of any mistakes on my part.
First, I consider our knowledge of psychology today to be roughly equivalent to that of alchemists when alchemy was popular. Like with alchemy, our main advantage over previous generations is that we’re doing lots of experiments and starting to notice vague patterns, but we still don’t have any systematic or reliable knowledge of what is actually going on. It is premature to seriously expect to change human nature.
Improving our knowledge of psychology to the point where we can actually figure things out could have a major positive effect on society. The same could be said for other branches of science. I think basic science is a potentially high-value cause, but I don’t see why psychology should be singled out.
Second, this cause is not neglected. It is one of the major issues intellectuals have been grappling with for centuries or more. Framing the issue in terms of “tribalism” may be a novelty, but I don’t see it as an improvement.
Finally, I’m not saying that there’s nothing the effective altruism community can do about tribalism. I’m saying I don’t see how this post is helping.
edit: As an aside, I’m now wondering if I might be expressing the point too rudely, especially the last paragraph. I hope we manage to communicate effectively in spite of any mistakes on my part.