Automatized Knowledge

Automatized knowledge is knowledge that runs automatically — without conscious attention. CF explores the paradox: it can be both a source of bias and a resistance to bias.

The paradox

• Source of bias. If you've automated bad patterns (e.g. status-deference), they'll keep firing.
• Resistance to bias. If you've automated good patterns (e.g. checking for counter-examples), they'll fire even when you're tired or distracted.

The CF claim

CF says: practise the right things. Build automatized knowledge of good patterns, and it'll resist bias for you. Don't trust your conscious reasoning alone — automate the fundamentals.

Examples

• Bad. "Trust credentialed sources" — automatized deference.
• Good. "Look for counter-examples" — automatized critical thinking.
• Bad. "Follow your first instinct" — automatized impulsivity.
• Good. "Re-state the argument before criticising" — automatized steelmanning.

How to build good automatized knowledge

1. Identify good patterns. What should you do automatically?
2. practice deliberately. See deliberate-practice.
3. In varied contexts. Build flexibility.
4. Reflect on outcomes. Are the patterns working?
5. Update as needed. Automatize new patterns as you learn them.

Why CF cares

In a culture of cognitive shortcuts, the question "what should be automatic?" is a CF question. CF recommends automatizing:

• fallibilism. Automatic awareness of fallibility.
• criticism-seeking. Automatic openness to being wrong.
• breakpoint finding. Automatic detection of qualitative changes.
• Paths Forward.**: Automatic protocol for engagement.

Limits

• Can't automate everything. Some things need conscious attention.
• Can automatize errors. Beware of unexamined practice.
• Subconscious is opaque. You can't directly inspect automatized knowledge.

"Automatized Knowledge Can Resist Bias" is a CF essay title. — criticalfallibilism.com