Overcoming Bias

I try read the Oxford Blog, Overcoming Bias. Some posts are a little more hectic than others and require regularly reading them, and working through the concepts. Some are a little more accessible.

I liked This post by Robin Hanson. My brother challenged me the other day about what `golden standard' I base my search for the truth on. How do I decide which `Feedback Loops' to use?

I guess my golden standard is that I am probably wrong. Like betting on the favourite in a horse race that has a 40% chance of winning, it is more likely that the horse will lose.

Obviously it is tough to go through life not acting because you think you are more than likely making a mistake. You have to act. I like to think that by honestly questioning all I have been taught and read, and rooting out any biases I have, I move generally in the right direction.

It is interesting how little time people actually spend discussing ethics. It is assumed that religion and ethics go hand in hand. I tend to disagree. I think it the past, religion tried to lead ethics, but often and mostly, ethics drags religion along kicking and screaming. Learning dogmatic rules without question doesn't tend to be conducive to honest ethical discussion. It is so because it is so.

It may seem like I have no golden standard in reality. It may seem that way because it is probably true, I think the concept of a golden standard is frail. This may also seem likely to cause a void, or uncertainty that could be crippling. A lot of people believe the church is necessary for the simple reason that without it, we would have no moral compass.

I disagree that the only reason we don't commit murder, rape, and molest children is because we believe it is a sin. I think we don't do that because we believe it is wrong, and by wrong, I mean society couldn't function or progress... and we have learnt (some more than others) over the years simply not to want to.