Cyan comments on Exterminating life is rational - Less Wrong

17 Post author: PhilGoetz 06 August 2009 04:17PM

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Comment author: John_Maxwell_IV 07 August 2009 08:37:05PM *  3 points [-]

Why is rejection of mathematical expectation an unworkable solution?

This isn't the only scenario where straight expectation is problematic. Pascal's Mugging, timeless decision theory, and maximization of expected growth rate come to mind. That makes four.

In my opinion, LWers should not give expected utility maximization the same axiomatic status that they award consequentialism. Is this worth a top level post?

Comment author: Cyan 07 August 2009 11:09:28PM 0 points [-]

Why is rejection of mathematical expectation an unworkable solution?

Well, rejection's not a solution per se until you pick something justifiable to replace it with.

I'd be interested in a top-level post on the subject.