Thanks for posting Linch. I think I’ve always assumed a level of motivated reasoning or at least a heavy dose of optimism from the EA community about the EA community, but it’s nice to see it written up so clearly, especially in a way that’s still warm towards the community.
Fwiw my suggestions for how to act under conditions where you know your reasoning is biased are:
Follow common-sense morality
Have deep trusting relationships with people who disagree with each other
(e.g. being a member of the EA community while working for a traditional philanthropist, seeking out a mentor who’s made a significant impact in their local community and another who’s made a global impact, having some friends who work in big institutions and others who are maverick entrepreneurs)
I’m suspicious of 1), especially if taken too far, because I think if taken too far it would justify way too much complacency in worlds where foreseeable moral catastrophes are not only possible but probable.
Thanks for posting Linch. I think I’ve always assumed a level of motivated reasoning or at least a heavy dose of optimism from the EA community about the EA community, but it’s nice to see it written up so clearly, especially in a way that’s still warm towards the community.
Fwiw my suggestions for how to act under conditions where you know your reasoning is biased are:
Follow common-sense morality
Have deep trusting relationships with people who disagree with each other (e.g. being a member of the EA community while working for a traditional philanthropist, seeking out a mentor who’s made a significant impact in their local community and another who’s made a global impact, having some friends who work in big institutions and others who are maverick entrepreneurs)
I’m suspicious of 1), especially if taken too far, because I think if taken too far it would justify way too much complacency in worlds where foreseeable moral catastrophes are not only possible but probable.
Just defer to Mike Huemer. He gets from common sense mortality to veganism and anarcho-capitalism. :P