How to Lead a More Rational Life with Bayes' Theorem

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2 pointsTDMoor4 comments

It is helpful indeed but what could be worse than to live a rational life?

What a great comment. It made me stop and think.

I think a purely rational life would be not very enjoyable. However, we definitely need some rationality, especially now that most of us are part of a community of many millions of people. We will destroy ourselves unless we keep some of those lizard brain emotions at bay. The enlightenment was a good thing.

For a totally random example, say one has to make a decision about getting a vaccine. It is a good idea to be as rational as possible about that decision.

Agreed. It was just meant to rise awareness that a rational approach isn't necessarily desirable in all ways of life.

Especially in times when policy is often subjected to much emotion we could certainly should strive to some hard rationality, although we should be aware that we might never achieve complete rationality.

Author here. Yes, good point. It's true that not everything should be forced through a rational framework. But some decisions certainly should. Much of the vitriol that society is struggling with today comes from emotions.

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