Read the whole thing.
There is always a worry that scientific rationalism is a darwinian dead-end, in that it is suboptimal for reproductive fitness, and Scott touches on that. Mathematics, beyond basic arithmetic, may be a peacock feather in the long run. Or not, the fitness landscape changes and memes, not just genes, compete.
We don't just reproduce, we convert...
More important is the cognitive dissonance: Scott thinks prevention of suffering is a good basis for morality and he is applying for tenure track jobs!
Aargh.
No, wait, we agreed not to do that.
Yeah, go for it Scott...
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