The modifier “rationalist” is pretty unnecessary—I’d just ask for “Opinions on Nietzsche”. There seems no good reason for putting it in and several good ones for leaving it out. As a semantic point, it sends off dark arts alarms when you ask for the “rationalist opinion” on Nietzsche. While I certainly think that, in this case, it’s possible to rationally evaluate Nietzsche, asking for consensus of “rationalist opinions” is going to get very cultish—it implies that you’re not a rationalist if you disagree. And there shouldn’t necessarily be a “rationalist opinion” on everything. There are some things that aren’t issues of rationality—like asking for the “rationalist opinion” on what the best flavor of ice cream is.
We slowly need to have a post entitled “Do not use the word “rationalist” in titles” so we can link to it instead of writing out the same post basically over and over again.
There are some things that aren’t issues of rationality—like asking for the “rationalist opinion” on what the best flavor of ice cream is.
Nope. It’s either an error in the question (not including “for whom”), or a matter on which one can be in error. Ice cream bias and so on. Very serious stuff.
Seconded—I would have much prefered “LessWrong opinion on Nietzsche” or something (I’d prefer leaving some qualifier, to remind each other that we should try and maintain a certain standard of discourse and not just get “Nietzsche? tl; dr.”).
The modifier “rationalist” is pretty unnecessary—I’d just ask for “Opinions on Nietzsche”. There seems no good reason for putting it in and several good ones for leaving it out. As a semantic point, it sends off dark arts alarms when you ask for the “rationalist opinion” on Nietzsche. While I certainly think that, in this case, it’s possible to rationally evaluate Nietzsche, asking for consensus of “rationalist opinions” is going to get very cultish—it implies that you’re not a rationalist if you disagree. And there shouldn’t necessarily be a “rationalist opinion” on everything. There are some things that aren’t issues of rationality—like asking for the “rationalist opinion” on what the best flavor of ice cream is.
We slowly need to have a post entitled “Do not use the word “rationalist” in titles” so we can link to it instead of writing out the same post basically over and over again.
Sounds like someone volunteering to write it. ;-)
There really isn’t anything like that already? If there isn’t I may as well…
I don’t really know if there is or not. Could ask around, maybe make a discussion post?
This I think implicitly covers some objections to using “rational” and “rationalist” in post titles.
I agree, although that particular title is a little self-undermining.
Perhaps “Concerning the use of the words ‘rational’ and ‘rationalist’ in post titles” would be better?
It is self-undermining on purpose. Though your title may work better.
I will probably upvote this post if you write it.
Nope. It’s either an error in the question (not including “for whom”), or a matter on which one can be in error. Ice cream bias and so on. Very serious stuff.
Seconded—I would have much prefered “LessWrong opinion on Nietzsche” or something (I’d prefer leaving some qualifier, to remind each other that we should try and maintain a certain standard of discourse and not just get “Nietzsche? tl; dr.”).