Comment by karaterobot
3 years ago
I doubt the conclusion Chesterton wanted anyone to draw was "consider carefully before breaking down a wall, but build all the walls you want without due diligence". The original context of the quote was an essay about reform. This is ultimately a thesis about conservatism in the old school sense. I think he wants you to think hard about the reasons for doing anything. I also don't think he'd refuse to tear down a wall if it presented an urgent threat—metaphorical wall or not. He's not a wall maximizing AI.
And, fortunately, I think you're the only one I've heard of who has interpret it in this other, interesting way.
I don’t think it’s particularly uncommon to find bureaucrats who use “we need to do more research from first principles” to frustrate progress of any form.
How do you reliably differentiate between actual, bonafide, needs for 'research from first principles' and claimed needs?
I don’t know a general way, but have definitely found straightforward ways to tell in the past in specific circumstances.
1 reply →