Re: Why believe the truth?

From: Robin Hanson (rhanson@gmu.edu)
Date: Mon Jun 16 2003 - 13:14:24 MDT

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    On 6/16/2003 Hal Finney wrote:
    >... We seek the truth ultimately to gain freedom: freedom of action,
    >freedom of knowledge, freedom of opportunity. Knowing the truth maximizes
    >our options for effective action in the world, because it allows us to
    >make the most accurate predictions of the effects of our actions.

    How about the freedom to believe what you want to believe? And freedom
    is not the only goal people have. In marriage, for example, one gives
    up certain freedoms for other benefits, including loyalty. Married people
    often seem to choose to believe against the evidence that they are made for
    each other, that they will never betray each other, etc.

    Robin Hanson rhanson@gmu.edu http://hanson.gmu.edu
    Assistant Professor of Economics, George Mason University
    MSN 1D3, Carow Hall, Fairfax VA 22030-4444
    703-993-2326 FAX: 703-993-2323



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