Here I’ll keep an updated list of some apodictic truths that form the fundament of my thought on this blog. These come without citation, but feel free to get in touch to confute any of these claims and/or request any citations supporting them.
Information is a state of matter
Epistemic humility is sine qua non
Consciousness is an emergent property of complex brain structures and is likely adaptive
Behavioral processes supervene on mental ones which supervene on biochemical ones
Nothing makes sense except in the context of evolution
Most traits are genetically determined to a substantial degree
Group differences exist and will persist across a variety of traits and concomitant outcomes
Humans are a gonochoristic species
Homeostatic set-points and reflexivity loops seem to be omni-present and recursive; I see them in biological, sociological, and economic cycles. Upshot: cybernetics deserves attention
The homeostatic theory of drug tolerance isn’t a 100% perfect law
Dopaminergics are a dual-edged sword and extreme caution is warranted
Hedonic adaptation is an immutable fact of nature (possible exception: cosmetic surgery)
The calorie-in calorie-out (CICO) model of weight gain and weight loss is broadly correct
Tradeoffs are everywhere
The Dismal Scientist is usually wrong but also usually interesting
Pragmatic libertarianism is the least bad political orientation
Stridency isn’t cool but is sometimes useful
Straussianism is objectively cool
Strausianism is cool! I have never heard of it until I discovered your blog. I have had to look up so many definitions of the words and concepts you use in your writing, which has led me to asking a lot more questions, as well as searching for more information. You have accelerated my search for more knowledge.