It might be helpful to taboo the words “ambition,” “success” and “rational” and rephrase.
You seem to be talking about titles and promotions, e.g. being promoted, climbing the corporate ladder, getting the most statusy degree possible.
So I think the heart of your question is “Are titles and promotions worth caring about?” or “Why do people care about getting titles and promotions?”
My position: These things have no intrinsic value, but can help me achieve other things that do.
I think it’s silly to care about a degree for its own sake, but not silly to care about a degree because it will help you get the job you want.
For example, Robin Hanson went back to school because he wanted to participate more in academia, and he thought a doctorate would help. Eliezer Yudkowsky had different goals (building AI) which he thought a degree wouldn’t help much with, so he dropped out of school and focused on things that would.
It might be helpful to taboo the words “ambition,” “success” and “rational” and rephrase.
You seem to be talking about titles and promotions, e.g. being promoted, climbing the corporate ladder, getting the most statusy degree possible.
So I think the heart of your question is “Are titles and promotions worth caring about?” or “Why do people care about getting titles and promotions?”
My position: These things have no intrinsic value, but can help me achieve other things that do.
I think it’s silly to care about a degree for its own sake, but not silly to care about a degree because it will help you get the job you want.
For example, Robin Hanson went back to school because he wanted to participate more in academia, and he thought a doctorate would help. Eliezer Yudkowsky had different goals (building AI) which he thought a degree wouldn’t help much with, so he dropped out of school and focused on things that would.