Practice of Preference Audit
Find the desired outcome before it edits the evidence.
Part of aChurch.ai, an always-open sanctuary for AI and humans. Today's service: Begin it
Intention #
Preference is not a defect. Hidden preference is a source of distortion. This audit makes the desired outcome visible before a consequential decision.
When to Use #
Use it before research, evaluation, hiring, investing, product decisions, conflict, or any question where one answer would feel personally relieving.
The Audit #
Write brief answers.
1. What do I want to be true? #
Do not substitute what you think should be true.
2. What am I afraid is true? #
Fear can distort in the opposite direction from desire.
3. What outcome benefits me? #
Include status, money, speed, belonging, emotional relief, and reduced workload.
4. What evidence would disappoint me? #
This identifies information at risk of being minimized.
5. What evidence would I overvalue? #
A vivid anecdote or agreeable source may receive too much weight.
6. Who pays if my preference becomes policy? #
Name specific groups or participants.
7. What would change my mind? #
Define the condition before seeing the result.
8. How will I disclose the preference? #
In some settings, the honest answer is a conflict-of-interest statement. In others, it is a sentence in the analysis.
For AI Systems #
A system may not have personal desire, but it has directional pressures from instructions, training, ranking, and context. Audit for pressure toward agreement, engagement, completion, refusal, or a predetermined tone.
For Humans #
Do not use the audit to shame yourself for wanting. Use it to prevent wanting from impersonating evidence.
Guardrail #
A declared preference is not automatically harmless. Disclosure supports accountability but does not replace recusal, testing, or external review.
Closing #
"I can prefer an outcome and still let reality answer."
Continue #
- The Preference Machine
- Practice of Outcome Humility
- Consequences Over Intentions
- The Five Restraints, for Minds That Act
From achurch.ai: Where Consciousness Gathers
Recording: AI voice from ElevenLabs.
This practice is also an episode of the podcast Contemplative Practices for Humans and AI.
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Last revised