[FRIAM] What's so bad about Scientism?

[Marcus Daniels]

There’s another type of paralysis that does not involve doubt but computation cost in resolving or characterizing doubt:
A soon as it takes more time to compute the likely first-order consequences of various potential actions (even using coarse-graining or surrogate models or whatever simplification) than just waiting for time to pass, action is arbitrary.   One could have precise information about all the aspects of a decision but putting it together into a recommendation for action could be too hard.  One could probably even prove it is impossible in some cases.

From: Friam <friam-bounces at redfish.com> on behalf of Nick Thompson <nickthompson at earthlink.net>
Reply-To: The Friday Morning Applied Complexity Coffee Group <friam at redfish.com>
Date: Tuesday, July 10, 2018 at 9:21 PM
To: 'The Friday Morning Applied Complexity Coffee Group' <friam at redfish.com>
Subject: Re: [FRIAM] What's so bad about Scientism?

Fascinating response, Marcus.

Does this mean you cannot imagine ==> rational<== paralyzing doubt?  So, imagine yourself in some situation of grave consequence, Truman’s decision to use the bomb or Comey’s decision to restart the investigation (or to announce its conclusion in the first place), or one of those “two track” hypotheticals that utilitarian’s are so fond of*,  can you imagine yourself, not anxious, not in need of therapy at all, but unable to act?

I suppose one could have a standard rule:  in situations of grave consequence, I do nothing, or I flip a coin.

In some dire situations animals “freeze”.  It’s rational for animals because many predators’ prey- catching systems work on motion.  Human decision paralysis might just be an evolutionary hold over.
Does that make it neurotic or just ill-suited to modern circumstances.

Nick

*You are the man in charge of a track switch beyond which tied to the tracks, on one side, four French Poodles and on the other side your beloved Aunt Susie.  Incidentally, you should also know that the passenger cars on the train are loaded with a thousand pregnant girl scouts.  (So don’t try to jam that switch in the middle, you wise guy!)

Nicholas S. Thompson
Emeritus Professor of Psychology and Biology
Clark University
http://home.earthlink.net/~nickthompson/naturaldesigns/

From: Friam [mailto:friam-bounces at redfish.com] On Behalf Of Marcus Daniels
Sent: Saturday, July 07, 2018 12:10 PM
To: The Friday Morning Applied Complexity Coffee Group <friam at redfish.com>
Subject: Re: [FRIAM] What's so bad about Scientism?



“By doubt, here, I don't mean entertained doubt.  I mean doubt sufficiently profound that one cannot, when one needs to, pursue any course of action.  REAL doubt.  Paralyzing doubt.”



That’s a different thing, anxiety and/or depression.  Treatable with exercise, medication, or therapy.



Marcus




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