> that brains are fundamentally survival machines, and agnostic to truth.
It isn't true that brains are agnostic to the truth. Having an accurate model of the bits of reality you'll encounter is quite important for survival (a superstitious tribesperson won't believe that they can throw fireballs at incoming lions).
> Knowing, or behaving-as-if-knowing a "truth" when that "truth" is being negatively selected for, leads to a disadvantage, leads to no one actively speaking up for it, leads to only ever hearing the "pro" side.
Something we are sadly finding out for ourselves these days... with professors being removed from their positions for giving a platform to other academics with unpopular views: https://infoproc.blogspot.com/2020/06/resignation.html?m=1
It isn't true that brains are agnostic to the truth. Having an accurate model of the bits of reality you'll encounter is quite important for survival (a superstitious tribesperson won't believe that they can throw fireballs at incoming lions).
> Knowing, or behaving-as-if-knowing a "truth" when that "truth" is being negatively selected for, leads to a disadvantage, leads to no one actively speaking up for it, leads to only ever hearing the "pro" side.
Something we are sadly finding out for ourselves these days... with professors being removed from their positions for giving a platform to other academics with unpopular views: https://infoproc.blogspot.com/2020/06/resignation.html?m=1