Some human irrationality seems adaptive. Humans apparently deceive themselves so they can manipulate others without actually lying—so as to avoid detection.
That does not directly contradict Omohundro. The quotation merely suggests that almost-rational humans will seek to self-modify in the direction of becoming less self-deceptive and better at lying. A look at the self-help literature tends to confirm Omohundro’s prediction.
That leaves the question, though, as to why Natural Selection didn’t take care of this ‘improvement’ itself. My guess is that it is a life-history, levels-of-selection, and kin-selection issue. Self-help books are purchased by adults. NS tries to optimize the whole life history. It is good for neither children nor their families that they become accomplished liars. Maybe self-deception in children has some advantages as well. Just speculating.
Some human irrationality seems adaptive. Humans apparently deceive
themselves so they can manipulate others without actually lying—so as
to avoid detection.
That does not directly contradict Omohundro. The quotation merely suggests that almost-rational humans will seek to self-modify in the direction of becoming less self-deceptive and better at lying. A look at the self-help literature tends to confirm Omohundro’s prediction.
Are the liars going to win, though? Nature subsidises both transparency and lie detectors, for reasons to do with promoting cooperation. In the future it may get even harder to convince others of things you don’t personally believe—as is dramatically portrayed in The Truth Machine.
That does not directly contradict Omohundro. The quotation merely suggests that almost-rational humans will seek to self-modify in the direction of becoming less self-deceptive and better at lying. A look at the self-help literature tends to confirm Omohundro’s prediction.
That leaves the question, though, as to why Natural Selection didn’t take care of this ‘improvement’ itself. My guess is that it is a life-history, levels-of-selection, and kin-selection issue. Self-help books are purchased by adults. NS tries to optimize the whole life history. It is good for neither children nor their families that they become accomplished liars. Maybe self-deception in children has some advantages as well. Just speculating.
Are the liars going to win, though? Nature subsidises both transparency and lie detectors, for reasons to do with promoting cooperation. In the future it may get even harder to convince others of things you don’t personally believe—as is dramatically portrayed in The Truth Machine.