Why materialists are predominantly materialists

[The Grand Nudger]

Point conceded.  Your belief that others are conscious is founded upon irrationality.  Some of us extend the courtesy of consciousness for less absurd reasons.

I don't think that's true.  I think you have collected reasons which you feel support your irrational position.

It's strange the things you do and don't feel confident in, I think.  You're not sure about the material world, you're not sure that I exist as a conscious entity...and yet you -do- have some confidence about what I would do or be inclined to favor -as- a conscious entity.  Seems to me like the last of the three would be more difficult to determine than the other two.  That's just me, though.

And by the way, by irrational I don't mean "stupid."  I mean that the position wasn't arrived at by rational means.  You already "knew" people were real thinking agents before you dug up reasons why you should think so.

OFC I did, that's the beauty of not having to discover everything yourself.  Of being a social creature in a persistent society of knowledgeable people.  That doesn't mean that the position is not or cannot be rationally arrived upon or supported.  Didn't stop me from thinking that the aunt jemima bottle was -also- a person...and it didn't prevent. me from having suspicions that -some- people were just cleverly disguised sacks full of hateful corn. I've since become an adult, done some reading.

That would be a ridiculous barrier for rationality...and it has nothing to -do- with reason.....nothing you ever told a kid or could work out through obvious means could then be maintained, later, to be rational. That water is wet...irrational. That there is no boogeyman, irrational. That people are conscious.......irrational. It's a senseless use of the term. Have fun with that.