NICK@AI.AI.MIT.EDU (Nick Papadakis) (06/02/88)
Date: Tue, 31 May 88 02:22 EDT From: Ken Laws <LAWS@IU.AI.SRI.COM> Subject: Acting Irrationally To: ailist@AI.AI.MIT.EDU Mail-System-Version: <VAX-MM(229)+TOPSLIB(133)+PONY(205)@IU.AI.SRI.COM> >> Thus he learns that the other person feels strongly ... > Wouldn't it have been easier if the yeller had simply disclosed his/her > value system in the first place? Or do I have an unrealistic expectation > that the yeller is in fact able to articulate his/her value system to an > inquiring mind? --Barry Kort Yelling is not necessarily an irrational act. It is also a communicative act, indicating an expectation based on custom rather than rationality. Custom tells us how to behave toward others who follow the same customs, but give us no guidance in behavior toward those who break custom but remain within the law and the bounds of rationality. Such people (weirdos, geniuses, punkers, foreigners, teenagers, etc.) make us nervous and complicate our lives, so we respond with anger. We also use anger, real or simulated, to let our children know which rules are based on custom and are thus not explainable. It would be nice if we could just explain our value systems, but we don't seem to be wired that way. (Anyway, we don't understand our own culture well enough.) At least we're civilized enough not to stone or enslave those who are different from us -- at least, not often as part of government or religious policy. Machines will have to be taught to recognize our communicative anger. I hope they won't have to emulate it as well. -- Ken Laws -------