Least convenient possible world

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.

Blog posts

• The Least Convenient Possible World by Yvain
• Logical Rudeness
• Is That Your True Rejection?
• Better Disagreement by lukeprog

External links

• Is That Your True Rejection? at Cato Unbound, by Eliezer Yudkowsky

See also

• Rationalization
• Epistemic hygiene
• Disagreement
• Rationalist taboo
• Reversal test
• How To Actually Change Your Mind