Strega

[…] AI welfare is a legitimate domain of inquiry because we cannot rule out the possibility that AI systems may have—or may one day develop—consciousness. The authors describe this as “an open question,” but they then unbalance the scales by linking to a preprint by several philosophers—including world-renowned philosopher of conscious…

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Have a great week everyone!

jakelafort wrote:
Next Mexico and Cuba.

My guess he’ll not mess with them, but just throw his usual pejoratives and trumped up outrage at them. He’s gotten mileage from the kidnapping and subsequently acting like (or actually fantasizing that) he’s taking over Venezuela. Maybe Steven Miller’s spiking his drinks and stoking fantasies. “Please…[Read more]

@regthefronkeyfarmer – but I never said the truth had to be justified – just “true”.  Anyway I like your definition of understanding better – understanding the factors that make something happen, and everything has a causative structure.

I understand that the concept of truth is not simple and is hard to define precisely.  If something is l…[Read more]

@Simon – Understanding is true belief. False beliefs are either redundant or harmful because delusion is always unsatisfactory.

That’s incorrect in modern epistemology. The old school of thought was that “Knowledge is justified true belief”. It is difficult to shake that idea because it is ‘folk epistemology’ and it has been around for centuries…[Read more]

Reg the Fronkey Farmer wrote:
Religious justification is more powerful than anger or hatred and that is how ordinary people become instruments of atrocity.

I actually think that extremist religion and politics can justify “righteous” anger and hatred, blotting out all compassion or respect for human rights.  That’s because morality has an…[Read more]

Once moral judgment is externalized, violence becomes procedural. Killing is no longer an act of violence. It becomes a duty to the cause. The killer experiences righteousness, not guilt. I remember the phone call by the Hamas terrorist to his father and both were rejoicing in the murders. Religion claims absolute moral authority by an…[Read more]

Roberts’ and Popok’s (Legal AF) summary of SCOTUS 2025

My subtitle: “Independent” Judicial Branch capitulates to King T

15-1/2 minutes (plus 1-1/2 minute self-promotion at end)

Understanding – apprehending the truth – is an aspiration or goal.  We can’t guarantee to reach an adequate understanding of something.

Understanding is true belief.  False beliefs are either redundant or harmful because delusion is always unsatisfactory.

Understanding is voluntary.
Belief is optional.

Reg the Fronkey Farmer wrote:
Univ. of Oklahoma punishes instructor for failing Christian student who didn’t do the assignment.

She wrote a right-wing rant instead.  I think that the student, Samantha Fulnecky, will never be able to get a normal job now.  But there’s plenty of work spouting off on YouTube, playing the victim and pretending to be…[Read more]

Have a great week everyone and Happy New Year!!

Last week I checked my crypto wallet on my cellphone. It said I had a balance of $28,151,000. I closed the app, re-opened it and I had the same balance. I immediately tried to transfer funds, thinking there must have been a “bitcoin moment”. When I got to the transfer window, the last 3 zeros were gone and I was actually down about $200. I could…[Read more]