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Map and Territory
231 pages, 2018
science & nature
1064 books
philosophy
711 booksIf you live in an urban area, you probably don’t need to go far to find a dojo. Why aren’t their dojos that teach martial arts? Very recently—in just the last few decades—the human species has acquired a great deal of new knowledge about various martial arts. Experimental investigations of empirical human psychology; theoretical probability theory to interpret what our experiments tell us; and evolutionary theory to explain the conclusions.
These fields give us new focusing lenses through which to view the landscape of human rationality. We have a shared vocabulary in which to describe problems and solutions. Humanity may finally be ready to synthesize the art of personal rationality: to refine, share, systematize, and pass on techniques for being better at thinking about thinking. When human brains try to do things, they can run into some very strange issues.
In Map and Territory, Eliezer Yudkowsky invites us to explore the concept of rationality. He argues that rationality isn't about being emotionless, but about achieving one's goals using the best evidence available. It's about making decisions that help you win, no matter what you're playing at.
One of the key points Yudkowsky makes is that our beliefs (the map) are not reality (the territory). He encourages us to constantly check our map against the territory, to ensure we're not mistaking our perceptions for truth. This can help us avoid biases and make better decisions.
Yudkowsky emphasizes the importance of updating our beliefs based on new evidence. He suggests that we should be willing to change our minds when we find strong evidence that contradicts our current beliefs. This is a key part of being rational and avoiding cognitive biases.
The book also introduces us to Bayesian reasoning, a method of updating beliefs based on probabilities. Yudkowsky explains this concept in a simple and understandable way, showing us how it can be used to make better decisions in our daily lives.
Finally, Yudkowsky highlights the role of science in rational thinking. He argues that science is a process of constantly updating our map to match the territory. By understanding and applying scientific thinking, we can become more rational and make better decisions.
