I'm a big believer in natural selection for ideas as well as genomes.
In the case of memeplexes, natural selection results in the survival of some truths and some untruths. We recognize that some truths and some untruths are represented. When I read the exerpt above, I see Nietzsche asking why we prefer the truths.
(My definition of truth: A proposition is true in direct proportion to the degree to which that proposition serves to correctly predict the future.)
I think we prefer truths as observation of the apparent past has shown that possession of truths allows better prediction of future events (a tautology according to the above definition of truth,) more control of them and the ability to guide them into preferred configurations (for we happy bags of reduced entropy.) Methodological naturalism (as used in science) is the best process we've found to intentionally isolate truths that can subsequently be used to our advantage.
OTOH, the universe has chosen to allow the persistence of certain systems of untruths; religious assertions contrary to observed reality. Their flourishing contradicts the presupposition that truth is preferable to untruth at least from their viewpoint.
But for me and my house, I will follow the truth.
In the case of memeplexes, natural selection results in the survival of some truths and some untruths. We recognize that some truths and some untruths are represented. When I read the exerpt above, I see Nietzsche asking why we prefer the truths.
(My definition of truth: A proposition is true in direct proportion to the degree to which that proposition serves to correctly predict the future.)
I think we prefer truths as observation of the apparent past has shown that possession of truths allows better prediction of future events (a tautology according to the above definition of truth,) more control of them and the ability to guide them into preferred configurations (for we happy bags of reduced entropy.) Methodological naturalism (as used in science) is the best process we've found to intentionally isolate truths that can subsequently be used to our advantage.
OTOH, the universe has chosen to allow the persistence of certain systems of untruths; religious assertions contrary to observed reality. Their flourishing contradicts the presupposition that truth is preferable to untruth at least from their viewpoint.
But for me and my house, I will follow the truth.
So how, exactly, does God know that She's NOT a brain in a vat? 
