Introspection
Identifying reliable reports about a person's mind makes it possible to model their beliefs and goals. Such models can then be used to predict action. With rapid feedback on many proposed interventions, a full-fledged exploration of the mind becomes possible. Learn about Leverage's foundational exploration of the human mind.
Publications
Introspection is often difficult to learn or yields results that are hard to reproduce or generalize. More than a decade ago, Leverage’s researchers tackled this problem, developing a new introspective method that is easier to learn, yields adequately reproducible data, and makes it relatively easy to identify patterns in the mind.
Studies in Power
After decades in obscurity, quantum biology is now emerging as an important subfield at the intersection of biology and quantum physics. Quantum biologists have identified various potential quantum effects in biological systems; the next steps are to experimentally verify them while seeking out more pervasive effects.
Publications
Quantum biology is the study of quantum effects in biological systems. While biology trivially depends on quantum laws since life contains molecules which have chemical bonds, there are also a variety of non-trivial quantum effects studied by quantum biologists.
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A Summary of Samo Burja Thought
Drawn from a wide-ranging study of recorded history, Samo Burja Thought represents part of the sociological framework created by Samo Burja, founder of Bismarck Analysis. It covers some of the central features of importance in human society: functional institutions, great founders, and coordination around power.
Chart Logic & Core Mechanics
Information obtained from introspective verbal reports can be organized into a "chart." Charts have an internal logic which make it easier to induce and track belief changes. Chart Logic and Core Mechanics was produced at the peak of Leverage's introspection research program as a guide to charts and some belief update dynamics.
Folding v1.0
A book-length monograph by Mark Lippmann, released by Leverage, on the topic of phenomenology. Folding 1.0 contains many distinctions, descriptions of mental actions, and general observations for people learning to introspect and make mental changes.
How to Belief Report
A description of "belief reporting," an introspective method that involves holding the intention to tell the truth. Many people can belief report easily; many others, though not everyone, can learn with relative ease. Leverage's researchers found that belief reporting yielded reliable verbal reports of beliefs.
Introspection Safety for Researchers
Researchers who investigate the mind using introspective methods like belief reporting should be apprised of the risks. This document describes conditions under which introspection is not recommended, possible deleterious effects, and includes a brief review of the introspection risk literature.
On Intention Research
"Intention research" is a domain of research that focuses on subtle non-verbal communication. Starting in 2017, Leverage's researchers found evidence of substantial non-verbal communication, especially around mental content that is difficult to pay attention to.
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Research Report: Argument Mapping
Arguments can be difficult to keep track of. One hope for better argumentation is to map out lines of argument explicitly; this activity is known as "argument mapping." The first major experiment in Leverage's consensus research, with a negative result. Read to learn why; main research in October 2011 through March 2012; report published December 2020.
Research Report: Intellectual Practice Examination
A conceivable way to help a group reach consensus is to explicitly note the intellectual practices each participant employs and then use that knowledge to chart a course towards consensus. The second major experiment in Leverage's consensus research, with a negative result. Research from March-June 2013, published in July 2021.
Research Report: Intellectual Processes
One way to enhance discourse is to introduce discussion of the mental processes participants use to reach given conclusions. The first success in a string of attempts to improve Leverage researchers' ability to reach consensus on important matters. Research from September 2013 and following, publication in October 2021.
Research Report: Intelligence Amplification Map
A brief review of intellectual amplification literature and methods, conducted in May-Aug 2011.
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Summary of Leverage Introspection Research
An overview of Leverage's introspection findings from 2012-2019. Presents a physics, chemistry, biology, and ecology of the mind while summarizing the main findings. The best available piece on the topic, as of late 2024.
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The Muscle-Readers, a Historical Sketch
Researchers in the late 19th and early 20th century discovered evidence that people can sometimes "read" information about others' thoughts and inclinations from muscle tension, unconscious vocalizations, and other subtle clues. A historical sketch, published in the Seeds of Science.
What an Actual Science of the Mind Would Look Like
To imagine a science of the mind, it is helpful to consider different views of science, the history of psychology, and the paths taken by previous successful sciences. Every new science gives surprising and unprecedented power; an actual science of the mind will do so as well.
Folding v1.0
A book-length monograph by Mark Lippmann, released by Leverage, on the topic of phenomenology. Folding 1.0 contains many distinctions, descriptions of mental actions, and general observations for people learning to introspect and make mental changes.
Research Report: Intellectual Practice Examination
A conceivable way to help a group reach consensus is to explicitly note the intellectual practices each participant employs and then use that knowledge to chart a course towards consensus. The second major experiment in Leverage's consensus research, with a negative result. Research from March-June 2013, published in July 2021.
Research Report: Intellectual Processes
One way to enhance discourse is to introduce discussion of the mental processes participants use to reach given conclusions. The first success in a string of attempts to improve Leverage researchers' ability to reach consensus on important matters. Research from September 2013 and following, publication in October 2021.
Research Report: Intelligence Amplification Map
A brief review of intellectual amplification literature and methods, conducted in May-Aug 2011.
Research Report: Argument Mapping
Arguments can be difficult to keep track of. One hope for better argumentation is to map out lines of argument explicitly; this activity is known as "argument mapping." The first major experiment in Leverage's consensus research, with a negative result. Read to learn why; main research in October 2011 through March 2012; report published December 2020.
The Muscle-Readers, a Historical Sketch
Researchers in the late 19th and early 20th century discovered evidence that people can sometimes "read" information about others' thoughts and inclinations from muscle tension, unconscious vocalizations, and other subtle clues. A historical sketch, published in the Seeds of Science.
Summary of Leverage Introspection Research
An overview of Leverage's introspection findings from 2012-2019. Presents a physics, chemistry, biology, and ecology of the mind while summarizing the main findings. The best available piece on the topic, as of late 2024.
Introspection Safety for Researchers
Researchers who investigate the mind using introspective methods like belief reporting should be apprised of the risks. This document describes conditions under which introspection is not recommended, possible deleterious effects, and includes a brief review of the introspection risk literature.
On Intention Research
"Intention research" is a domain of research that focuses on subtle non-verbal communication. Starting in 2017, Leverage's researchers found evidence of substantial non-verbal communication, especially around mental content that is difficult to pay attention to.
Chart Logic & Core Mechanics
Information obtained from introspective verbal reports can be organized into a "chart." Charts have an internal logic which make it easier to induce and track belief changes. Chart Logic and Core Mechanics was produced at the peak of Leverage's introspection research program as a guide to charts and some belief update dynamics.
How to Belief Report
A description of "belief reporting," an introspective method that involves holding the intention to tell the truth. Many people can belief report easily; many others, though not everyone, can learn with relative ease. Leverage's researchers found that belief reporting yielded reliable verbal reports of beliefs.
A Summary of Samo Burja Thought
Drawn from a wide-ranging study of recorded history, Samo Burja Thought represents part of the sociological framework created by Samo Burja, founder of Bismarck Analysis. It covers some of the central features of importance in human society: functional institutions, great founders, and coordination around power.
What an Actual Science of the Mind Would Look Like
To imagine a science of the mind, it is helpful to consider different views of science, the history of psychology, and the paths taken by previous successful sciences. Every new science gives surprising and unprecedented power; an actual science of the mind will do so as well.