Epistemic learned helplessness

Joseph Carlsmith discusses the concept of epistemic learned helplessness in the context of long-term thinking and ethical considerations. He notes that different people have varying thresholds for what they consider too complex or strange to engage with, leading them to reject certain ideas prematurely. This concept often surfaces when individuals encounter ideas that challenge their current moral frameworks, such as long-termism or infinite ethics. Carlsmith suggests that if an idea feels compelling intellectually, it should be explored deeply, but it’s also crucial to assess whether it feels practical and aligns with a healthy way of living 1.