Mind · Inference
ConfirmationBlock
Active search for contradictory evidence
Definition
Mechanism
Disconfirmation Seek: After forming hypothesis, ask: "What evidence would prove me WRONG?" Actively search for that evidence. Weight disconfirming evidence fairly (don't explain it away). If you can't imagine what would change your mind, belief is not rational. It enforces a pause state until active search has exhausted reasonable counter-evidence.
Invariants
- The Hypothesis names at least one observation that would tell against it.
- Disconfirming evidence is weighted on its merits, not discounted for being disconfirming.
- Evidence is independently verifiable.
- Releases only once `disconfirmations_required` is met or `timeout` expires.
Risks
Failure modes
Performative Doubt
Generating weak counter-evidence just to tick the box, without genuine intent to falsify.
Relationships
Builds on
References
Infrastructure
Testable prediction staged for falsification attempts — provisional, not asserted
Used by
References
Society
Mitigating groupthink via mandatory devils advocacy
Reference
Parameters
disconfirmations_requiredInteger, [1, 100]- Counter-evidence instances required before the block releases.
timeoutDuration, [1s, 1h]- Longest the search for disconfirming evidence may run before the block releases.