The subjectivist states his judgements, whereas the objectivist sweeps them under the carpet by calling assumptions knowledge, and he basks in the glorious objectivity of science.
Interpretation
This quote contrasts subjectivism and objectivism in judgments and knowledge.
I. J. Good's quote highlights the difference between subjectivists, who openly acknowledge their judgments and perspectives, and objectivists, who often mask their assumptions as objective knowledge. It suggests that while objectivists may pride themselves on their scientific approach, they may overlook the inherent biases that come with their assumptions.
In practice
During a philosophy seminar discussing different approaches to knowledge, this quote can highlight the importance of acknowledging personal biases.
Let an ultraintelligent machine be defined as a machine that can far surpass all the intellectual activities of any man however clever. Since the design of machines is one of these intellectual activities, an ultraintelligent machine could design even better machines; there would then unquestionably be an 'intelligence explosion,' and the intelligence of man would be left far behind. Thus the first ultraintelligent machine is the last invention that man need ever make.
People are more complicated than the masks they wear in society.
Nothing is more imminent than the impossible . . . what we must always foresee is the unforeseen.
Force does not constitute right... obedience is due only to legitimate powers.
Truly, that reason upon which we plume ourselves, though it may answer for little things, yet for great decisions is hardly surer than a toss up.
When God accepts a sinner, He is, in fact, only accepting Christ. He looks into the sinner's eyes, and He sees His own dear Son's image there, and He takes him in.
Grimly, she realized that clocks don't make a sound that even remotely resembles ticking, tocking. It was more the sound of a hammer, upside down, hacking methodically at the earth. It was the sound of a grave.
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