Not every action--I believe I mentioned in the video that things that are done out of compulsion or addiction, etc. are definitely not rational. It's just that actions which might seem irrational to one person are often well thought out and rational. And testing that is not always easy.
Another view on this topic could be that rationality is an elegant way to be confused and never to touch reality. To get definition and determine what they mean and argue about that is a nice hobby and a good way to stretch the mind, but it never can give one a real understanding of the world. It's a bit limited as comment, but I don't want to get too rational...
rationality is a decision that will maximize pleasure and minimize pain. All living organisms seek to maximize pleasure and minimize pain. Every action we take is for that purpose.
My rational argument for not being a nihilist is this. I'd rather be misinformed throughout life than being uninformed. Not knowing anything gives me great discomfort, even more than being wrong. And informed is better than misinformed so that is why I'm a sceptic.
Not a bad definition. However, by your definition a virus is one of the most rational things that exists. I imagine it could be showen that flowers, cars and computer programs and rational too.
By my definition, a virus' BEHAVIOR is rational if its goal is to multiply. Of course, does a virus have a goal? Evolution selects for behaviors whose utility function values survival and reproduction, hence if we were to analyze the behavior of just about any living thing given those "goals" and "values" then they would appear to be rational.
However, since I argued against judging a behavior's rationality based on an externally imposed utility function, then a virus' behavior would be neither rational nor irrational, but "a-rational."
I think given a materialistic conception of evolution, one could make the case that our "goals" are as rigidly determined by nature as the survival behaviours of the virus.
Also, would we say a dolphin has no desire to survive just because it cannot tell us this is the case?
I didn't say I disagreed, it was a concept I'd yet to consider. I faved this video, that should've told you something. BTW let's make babies together ;) *chomp*
similar to mine, but I call it rational if there is some sort of measure at all, whether they optimize or not. Of couse, it's reasonable to assume they are try to maximize the value measured, but they might be minimizing it, or otherwise optimizing it.
Depending upon a person's values or goals, all things could be rational.Suicide bombers, school shootings, belief in god, rape is good,war is love,slavery is freedom. Welcome to 1984, George Orwell!
no, i think dafney would be right, according to this definition of rationality. if there were an organism that evolved to value belief in god over the truth of the proposition, it would be rational for the organism to believe in god. This could also be true for certain humans. I like your definition, cousino, but perhaps maximizing the utility function is a bit broad if someone is trying to keep false beliefs 'out'. but, seems to me that belief in god would be rational in the above case.
First, through rational thought process I came to a belief in Darwin evolution theory, later, also by rational thought process I came to a belief that Darwin's theory is wrong. So, both my beliefs are rational? If yes, then someone's belief in God could also be rational? I think your answer would be yes, just want to make sure.
If every action is consistent with a certain utility function (witch it, as you say, is) how could you test the hypothesis that a person is rational?
swedenq 3 years ago
Not every action--I believe I mentioned in the video that things that are done out of compulsion or addiction, etc. are definitely not rational. It's just that actions which might seem irrational to one person are often well thought out and rational. And testing that is not always easy.
CousinoMacul 3 years ago
A rational video on rationality!
Great stuff 5*
Canteatpancakes 4 years ago
Another view on this topic could be that rationality is an elegant way to be confused and never to touch reality. To get definition and determine what they mean and argue about that is a nice hobby and a good way to stretch the mind, but it never can give one a real understanding of the world. It's a bit limited as comment, but I don't want to get too rational...
Siyeouki 4 years ago
rationality is a decision that will maximize pleasure and minimize pain. All living organisms seek to maximize pleasure and minimize pain. Every action we take is for that purpose.
Melzack 4 years ago
My rational argument for not being a nihilist is this. I'd rather be misinformed throughout life than being uninformed. Not knowing anything gives me great discomfort, even more than being wrong. And informed is better than misinformed so that is why I'm a sceptic.
Censeo 4 years ago
Not a bad definition. However, by your definition a virus is one of the most rational things that exists. I imagine it could be showen that flowers, cars and computer programs and rational too.
bushfingers 4 years ago
By my definition, a virus' BEHAVIOR is rational if its goal is to multiply. Of course, does a virus have a goal? Evolution selects for behaviors whose utility function values survival and reproduction, hence if we were to analyze the behavior of just about any living thing given those "goals" and "values" then they would appear to be rational.
CousinoMacul 4 years ago
However, since I argued against judging a behavior's rationality based on an externally imposed utility function, then a virus' behavior would be neither rational nor irrational, but "a-rational."
CousinoMacul 4 years ago
I think given a materialistic conception of evolution, one could make the case that our "goals" are as rigidly determined by nature as the survival behaviours of the virus.
Also, would we say a dolphin has no desire to survive just because it cannot tell us this is the case?
bushfingers 4 years ago
i feel like i just watched dave attel be completely serious for seven minutes.
anonymistake 4 years ago
(attell)
anonymistake 4 years ago
MAaan! You are sooo rational! Love your video!
Boucrate 4 years ago
Wow! Thanks!!
CousinoMacul 4 years ago
subjective rationality.... hmmmm....
hunniebee173 4 years ago
We can only know reality through our subjective lens. Rationality is a part of reality. Why would rationality be anything other than subjective?
CousinoMacul 4 years ago
*bite*
CousinoMacul 4 years ago
I didn't say I disagreed, it was a concept I'd yet to consider. I faved this video, that should've told you something. BTW let's make babies together ;) *chomp*
hunniebee173 4 years ago
*bite* *bite*
CousinoMacul 4 years ago
That's not quite how it's done, Javi... not quite...
hunniebee173 4 years ago
Show me then. :o)
CousinoMacul 4 years ago
Pi is not rational... lulz.
jussts 4 years ago
similar to mine, but I call it rational if there is some sort of measure at all, whether they optimize or not. Of couse, it's reasonable to assume they are try to maximize the value measured, but they might be minimizing it, or otherwise optimizing it.
pyrrho314 4 years ago
the bad pun on π was not so bad :-)
michaelispan 4 years ago
Ookey...you lost me at Pie.
Me being a omfgrofllmaonooobletz on this, how come pie isnt rational?
Otherwise, l33t!
EyeeShare 4 years ago
π isn't rational because it can't be expressed as the ratio of two integers.
CousinoMacul 4 years ago
-.-
Oh, that pi...
EyeeShare 4 years ago
Great Stuff!
system0slaven 4 years ago
Well said... The joke at the end was a bit dry though. ;O) ★★★★★
Katalyzt
Katalyzt 4 years ago
Depending upon a person's values or goals, all things could be rational.Suicide bombers, school shootings, belief in god, rape is good,war is love,slavery is freedom. Welcome to 1984, George Orwell!
dafneydewitt 4 years ago
Not quite.
CousinoMacul 4 years ago
no, i think dafney would be right, according to this definition of rationality. if there were an organism that evolved to value belief in god over the truth of the proposition, it would be rational for the organism to believe in god. This could also be true for certain humans. I like your definition, cousino, but perhaps maximizing the utility function is a bit broad if someone is trying to keep false beliefs 'out'. but, seems to me that belief in god would be rational in the above case.
EverettsVLOG 4 years ago
First, through rational thought process I came to a belief in Darwin evolution theory, later, also by rational thought process I came to a belief that Darwin's theory is wrong. So, both my beliefs are rational? If yes, then someone's belief in God could also be rational? I think your answer would be yes, just want to make sure.
yasumi07 4 years ago
great video!
5 stars baby!
TheRavenGuy 4 years ago
Oh no. You and Nate.
azrienoch 4 years ago
LETS MAKE BABIES
kiteofdark 4 years ago