In fact, it seems like the Christian lady in EY example “got it” by accident:
She doesn’t really believe in god, but says her belief is useful to her.
To me, to be effective and useful, self-deception should occur in System 1 (fast, intuitive), but not in System 2 (slow, analytical). It seems applied rationality helps a lot with questions of motivation, or having useful intuitions to make progress towards a goal. And since System 2 is not affected, “fake beliefs” installed in System 1 are open for re-evaluation.
Very much seconded.
In fact, it seems like the Christian lady in EY example “got it” by accident:
She doesn’t really believe in god, but says her belief is useful to her.
To me, to be effective and useful, self-deception should occur in System 1 (fast, intuitive), but not in System 2 (slow, analytical). It seems applied rationality helps a lot with questions of motivation, or having useful intuitions to make progress towards a goal. And since System 2 is not affected, “fake beliefs” installed in System 1 are open for re-evaluation.