Can You Optimize Your Way to a Better Person? Probably Not.
This article explores the concept of 'moral optimization,' the idea of using data and reason to maximize moral good. The author uses personal anecdotes and observations to illustrate how this perfectionistic mindset can lead to anxiety, self-criticism, and a disregard for human connection. Tracing the historical roots of optimization from 16th-century bookkeeping to modern AI, the article analyzes the applicability of data-driven optimization in different fields. It argues that this approach is limited in the moral realm, ignoring the complexity of morality and the importance of emotions. Ultimately, the author advocates for 'satisficing'—accepting uncertainty and imperfections, seeking a 'good enough' solution in moral choices, and balancing reason with emotion to maintain humanity and integrity.
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