Maybe I’m misunderstanding Plato, then? It seems to me that Plato’s advocating that you can’t learn about things outside by staring at the ceiling, but by interacting with them, which is Yudkowsky’s position as well.
I think you are misunderstanding the Plato quote. He’s not saying that you have to go and look at things outside rather than “staring at the ceiling,” but that “staring at the ceiling” (making observations about things) isn’t a true exercise of reason. He’s arguing that only contemplation of that which cannot be perceived by the senses is truly exalting.
He’s taking a critical attitude to the position expressed in the quote, not quoting a passage from Plato which shares his criticism.
Maybe I’m misunderstanding Plato, then? It seems to me that Plato’s advocating that you can’t learn about things outside by staring at the ceiling, but by interacting with them, which is Yudkowsky’s position as well.
I think you are misunderstanding the Plato quote. He’s not saying that you have to go and look at things outside rather than “staring at the ceiling,” but that “staring at the ceiling” (making observations about things) isn’t a true exercise of reason. He’s arguing that only contemplation of that which cannot be perceived by the senses is truly exalting.
Oh, okay. Thank you!