It is becoming more and more clear to me that their is a distinction between ‘how’ and ‘why’ to do something. Rationality techniques address the ‘how’ and they are invaluable as such but the ‘why’ and its implied goal is, to my current understanding, the factor that controls the dopaminergic system (aka. motivation). I ’ve been studying quite intensely the psychology lectures of Jordan Peterson and I believe he is right. The dopaminergic system is providing the motivation for the current chosen goal through a [what is → how we should act → what should be] pattern that repeats in a nested fashion from micro to macro.
For example for me writing at this moment:
what is → an empty text field
how we should act → a combination of typing and thinking
what should be → compose the comment
But then the patterns is broken down into smaller actions that have the same form. For example creating a sentence, typing a word, typing a letter etc. fading down to the automated brain processes. But it also goes outwards to the macro level. Then the pattern is the same but going out:
what is → LessWrong (and lifelonglearner) does not know about Jordan Peterson
how we should act → gradually provide evidence of insight
what should be → LessWrong (and lifelonglearner) realises the importance of what he is presenting and the consequences for the rationalist movement
This pattern is itself nested inside the larger life goals all the way up to your perceived meaning of life and the place of your current action within your world view.
It is becoming more and more clear to me that their is a distinction between ‘how’ and ‘why’ to do something. Rationality techniques address the ‘how’ and they are invaluable as such but the ‘why’ and its implied goal is, to my current understanding, the factor that controls the dopaminergic system (aka. motivation). I ’ve been studying quite intensely the psychology lectures of Jordan Peterson and I believe he is right. The dopaminergic system is providing the motivation for the current chosen goal through a [what is → how we should act → what should be] pattern that repeats in a nested fashion from micro to macro.
For example for me writing at this moment:
But then the patterns is broken down into smaller actions that have the same form. For example creating a sentence, typing a word, typing a letter etc. fading down to the automated brain processes. But it also goes outwards to the macro level. Then the pattern is the same but going out:
This pattern is itself nested inside the larger life goals all the way up to your perceived meaning of life and the place of your current action within your world view.
Hope you find that useful :)