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0 pointslapcat2y ago0 comments

> These are statements about Harvard’s purpose or intent, not about its effect.

Yes, the current purpose or intent. Harvard was established 387 years ago; what was its original purpose or intent? I don't know. In fact, I don't care. It's not relevant to the current argument. Institutions change over time, and we're talking about hundreds of years at Harvard.

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sixstringtheory2y ago

> the current purpose or intent

… is to make society less meritocratic? Where’s the evidence that this is what the institution is currently driving at as its mission? Versus this being an emergent effect, subjectively?

pseudalopex2y ago

"The purpose of a system is what it does"

sixstringtheory2y ago

OK. But the problem here is that people disagree on what Harvard does. That has to be established before we can even work backwards to a purpose, assuming this framework you suggest is even valid, which I separately doubt.

My a priori assumption of the purpose of a car is to transport people. Cars kill thousands of people each year. Is the purpose of a car then to kill people?

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0 pointslapcat2y ago0 comments

> These are statements about Harvard’s purpose or intent, not about its effect.

0 comments

sixstringtheory2y ago

> the current purpose or intent

… is to make society less meritocratic? Where’s the evidence that this is what the institution is currently driving at as its mission? Versus this being an emergent effect, subjectively?

pseudalopex2y ago

"The purpose of a system is what it does"

sixstringtheory2y ago

My a priori assumption of the purpose of a car is to transport people. Cars kill thousands of people each year. Is the purpose of a car then to kill people?

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j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse