What force controls probability? - Page 4

DeviousB · 10th November 2006, 07:26 AM

Equally, though, it would be rational to visit a homeopath if it made you feel better. Or drop a couple of K on pyschic hotlines because you enjoy the calls.

In fact most personal enjoyments aren't rational (from Encarta, "governed by, or showing evidence of, clear and sensible thinking and judgment, based on reason rather than emotion or prejudice"); they are just enjoyable.

You do something you enjoy because you enjoy it. Even if it makes no sense whatsoever.

nimzov · 10th November 2006, 07:27 AM

Originally Posted by BillyJoe

Your "excitement and adrenalin" are based on a false premise - that you might win. The odds (zero for practical purposes) are such that it does not justify your "excitement and adrenaline". Your "excitement and adrenaline" are, therefore, irrational. BJ

I disagree.

Chances of winning "something" are not zero. Some people get excited for winning 50$.

nimzo

BillyJoe · 11th November 2006, 12:35 AM

Originally Posted by Cuddles

It doesn't matter why you are excited, the fact that you are is enough reason to play. People jump off hundred foot cliffs. They enjoy it, but there is no rational reason for the enjoyment. However, the fact that they experience the enjoyment provides a rational reason for jumping, therefore jumping is rational.

I think it is irrational to define "rational" the way you have, because now you have to find another word to stand in place of what the rest of us define "rational" to be And that's a waste, because we already have a perfectly good word for that

In other words, I agree with DB.

10th November 2006, 07:26 AM	#121
DeviousB Critical Thinker Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 374	Equally, though, it would be rational to visit a homeopath if it made you feel better. Or drop a couple of K on pyschic hotlines because you enjoy the calls. In fact most personal enjoyments aren't rational (from Encarta, "governed by, or showing evidence of, clear and sensible thinking and judgment, based on reason rather than emotion or prejudice"); they are just enjoyable. You do something you enjoy because you enjoy it. Even if it makes no sense whatsoever.
DeviousB Critical Thinker Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 374

10th November 2006, 07:27 AM	#122
nimzov Muse Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Montréal Posts: 917	Originally Posted by BillyJoe Your "excitement and adrenalin" are based on a false premise - that you might win. The odds (zero for practical purposes) are such that it does not justify your "excitement and adrenaline". Your "excitement and adrenaline" are, therefore, irrational. BJ I disagree. Chances of winning "something" are not zero. Some people get excited for winning 50$. nimzo
	Last edited by nimzov; 10th November 2006 at 07:29 AM.

11th November 2006, 12:35 AM	#123
BillyJoe Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: MOOROOLBARK Posts: 12,539	Originally Posted by Cuddles It doesn't matter why you are excited, the fact that you are is enough reason to play. People jump off hundred foot cliffs. They enjoy it, but there is no rational reason for the enjoyment. However, the fact that they experience the enjoyment provides a rational reason for jumping, therefore jumping is rational. I think it is irrational to define "rational" the way you have, because now you have to find another word to stand in place of what the rest of us define "rational" to be And that's a waste, because we already have a perfectly good word for that In other words, I agree with DB.
	__________________ A secular society is one in which no one loses any liberty as a consequence of someone else's religious beliefs. NB Allowing yourself to get led around the nose by a person like Craig is a losing strategy. SH Morality is a social coating around a Darwinian core. JC My joke about freewill: There is no basis for it.