The Psychological Diversity of Mankind
Book •
Kaj Sotala's 'The Psychological Diversity of Mankind' challenges arguments that human minds are sufficiently similar for easy aggregation into a single extrapolated volition, emphasizing genetic, cultural, and developmental factors that produce wide variance.
Sotala uses empirical examples and thought experiments to show how small differences in neural wiring or environment can yield substantially different values and preferences.
The essay cautions against assuming a simple unifying substrate beneath human values, suggesting AI alignment must address pluralism rather than expecting convergence.
It has been influential as a corrective within alignment debates, urging careful modeling of population heterogeneity.
Sotala's piece remains a key reference for those skeptical of naive CEV implementations.
Sotala uses empirical examples and thought experiments to show how small differences in neural wiring or environment can yield substantially different values and preferences.
The essay cautions against assuming a simple unifying substrate beneath human values, suggesting AI alignment must address pluralism rather than expecting convergence.
It has been influential as a corrective within alignment debates, urging careful modeling of population heterogeneity.
Sotala's piece remains a key reference for those skeptical of naive CEV implementations.
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Mentioned by Shelly as the counterpoint essay arguing for substantial psychological diversity across humans, challenging CEV assumptions.
39 – Transhumanism (pt 2)
