I talked to someone at an OB meetup who did change his mind about something important, by use of the full-fledged crisis of faith, with his use occasioned by Eliezer’s post. It impacted his practical actions in significant ways. If each of us does one of these every three years, with something equally important, the technique will be paying off hugely.
For myself: I went to a coffee shop shortly after Eliezer’s post, with a free afternoon and intent to try the technique. No particular subject matter. I started by making a list of “topics potentially warranting crises of faith”, which itself probably made me more aware of existing gaps in my thinking. Then I picked the most emotionally difficult topic from my list, got a bit of the way in… and changed my mind about whether I wanted to think that one through. Then I picked another topic (also a practical, real-world matter) and… got partway through, farther than above, with some but not huge change to my beliefs and practices. I should try the procedure again.
Like Yvain, I’d love to hear others’ experiences with the Crisis of Faith technique, positive or negative.
I talked to someone at an OB meetup who did change his mind about something important, by use of the full-fledged crisis of faith, with his use occasioned by Eliezer’s post. It impacted his practical actions in significant ways. If each of us does one of these every three years, with something equally important, the technique will be paying off hugely.
For myself: I went to a coffee shop shortly after Eliezer’s post, with a free afternoon and intent to try the technique. No particular subject matter. I started by making a list of “topics potentially warranting crises of faith”, which itself probably made me more aware of existing gaps in my thinking. Then I picked the most emotionally difficult topic from my list, got a bit of the way in… and changed my mind about whether I wanted to think that one through. Then I picked another topic (also a practical, real-world matter) and… got partway through, farther than above, with some but not huge change to my beliefs and practices. I should try the procedure again.
Like Yvain, I’d love to hear others’ experiences with the Crisis of Faith technique, positive or negative.