It’s good that nobody’s talking about this. It would be no more sane than e.g. trying to make everyone religious because then God would eliminate suffering.
You’re describing a religious belief that, for some unknown reason, many EAs seem to share. A belief in a mystical state of being never scientifically documented. And you ask why there’s no activity around this, in a community supposedly organized around following evidence to find good ways to improve the world. And that’s your answer: a shared belief is not evidence. Same as a shared belief in God, even by billions of people, is not evidence.
You are right that a lot of people believing something doesn’t make it true, but I don’t think that’s what the OP is suggesting. Rather, if a lot of EAs believe enlightenment is possible and reduces suffering, it is strange that they don’t explore it further.
I would suggest that your attitude is the reason why. To label it religious, and religion as the antithesis of empirical evidence, is problematic in its on right, but in any case there is plenty of secular interest in this topic, and plenty of empirical research on it.
It is also worth considering that the strength of the case for an enlightened future for humanity (once we strip that term of some of the flights of fancy associated with it), is on par with that of humanity’s possible enslavement by AGI. If the latter is worth our time, why isn’t the former?
It’s good that nobody’s talking about this. It would be no more sane than e.g. trying to make everyone religious because then God would eliminate suffering.
Hi Guy! Thanks for commenting :) I am a bit confused by the analogy. Would you mind explaining it further?
You’re describing a religious belief that, for some unknown reason, many EAs seem to share. A belief in a mystical state of being never scientifically documented. And you ask why there’s no activity around this, in a community supposedly organized around following evidence to find good ways to improve the world. And that’s your answer: a shared belief is not evidence. Same as a shared belief in God, even by billions of people, is not evidence.
You are right that a lot of people believing something doesn’t make it true, but I don’t think that’s what the OP is suggesting. Rather, if a lot of EAs believe enlightenment is possible and reduces suffering, it is strange that they don’t explore it further. I would suggest that your attitude is the reason why. To label it religious, and religion as the antithesis of empirical evidence, is problematic in its on right, but in any case there is plenty of secular interest in this topic, and plenty of empirical research on it. It is also worth considering that the strength of the case for an enlightened future for humanity (once we strip that term of some of the flights of fancy associated with it), is on par with that of humanity’s possible enslavement by AGI. If the latter is worth our time, why isn’t the former?