Least convenient possible world (or LCPW) is a technique for enforcing intellectual honesty, to be used when arguing against an idea. The essence of the technique is to assume that all the specific details will align with the idea against which you are arguing, i.e. to consider the idea in the context of a least convenient possible world, where every circumstance is colluding against your objections and counterarguments. This approach ensures that your objections are strong enough, running minimal risk of being rationalizations for your position.
Least convenient possible world is a technique for enforcing intellectual honesty, to be used when arguing against an idea. The essence of the technique is to assume that all the specific details will align with the idea against which you are arguing, i.e. to consider the idea in the context of a least convenient possible world,world, where every circumstance is colluding against your objections and counterarguments. This approach ensures that your objections are strong enough, running minimal risk of being rationalizations for your position.
The "leastLeast convenient possible world"world is a tool oftechnique for enforcing intellectual honesty, to be used when arguing against an idea.
The essence of the principletechnique is to, when disputing a general argument,to assume that all the specific details will align with the argument, idea against which you are arguing, i.e., to consider the idea in the context of a least convenient possible world in which to makeworld, where every circumstance is colluding against your counterargument. If this world is so unlikely as to be all but impossible, accept the validityobjections and counterarguments. This approach ensures that your objections are strong enough, running minimal risk of the argument and instead dispute its applicability to the real world.being rationalizations for your position.
The Least Convenient Possible World on Less Wrong,, by Yvain
The "Least Convenient Possible World""least convenient possible world" is a tool of intellectual honesty, to be used when arguing against an idea.
The Least Convenient Possible World on Less WrongWrong, by Yvain
The "Least Convenient Possible World" is a tool of intellectual honesty, to be used when arguing against an idea.
The essence of the principle is to, when disputing a general argument, assume that all specific details will align with the argument, i.e., the least convenient possible world in which to make your counterargument. If this world is so unlikely as to be all but impossible, accept the validity of the argument and instead dispute its applicability to the real world.
The Least Convenient Possible World on Less Wrong
Talk:Least convenient possible world
This article would probably be improved by an example of how to apply the technique. I would have added one, but I didn't want to just copy and paste from Yvain's post, and I couldn't immediately think of a simple demonstration of the idea that wouldn't distract with irrelevant aspects (i.e., technical debates and political issues probably make poor examples). --A soulless automaton 00:55, 7 April 2009 (UTC)