This is a reminder for:
Title: Peter Slezak
Realizing Newcomb's Problem
Newcomb's problem has been almost universally conceived as reconciling
the science-fictional features of the decision problem with a
plausible causal analysis.
Following Eells (1982), similarities with realistic problems such as
Prisoner’s Dilemma and common cause cases have suggested that
Newcomb’s Problem may be given a coherent description. However, I
suggest that these real-life analogs have diverted attention from the
essential function of the science-fiction of a predicting demon.
The peculiarity of the apparent link between one’s choice and the
previously determined contents of the second box prompted Jeffrey’s
(1983: 25) earlier characterization of the problem as “a secular,
sci-fi successor to the problems of predestination.”
However, I suggest that the predictor is not to be understood merely
as a fiction providing insufficient “extra information” as both McKay
(2004) and Levi (1975) suggest. Rather, if the choice is incoherent,
it should permit a precise specification revealing the source of the
notorious perplexity.
I suggest that Jeffrey’s analogy is apt for a familiar class of puzzle
whose logical features can be precisely articulated. Toward this end,
I propose an easily performed experiment that supports this analysis
by showing how Newcomb’s Problem can be realized in a real-life
decision.
When: Mon Jun 7 1pm – 2:30pm Eastern Time - Melbourne, Sydney
Where: University of Sydney philosophy common room
Calendar: Current Projects
Who:
* [email protected] - creator
Event details:
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