Vladimir_Nesov comments on Exterminating life is rational - Less Wrong

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

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Comment author: Vladimir_Nesov 13 August 2009 09:02:11AM 0 points [-]

I argue that the thought experiment is ambiguous, and that for a certain definition of utility (vNM utility), it is trivial and doesn't solve any problems. For this definition of utility I argue that your example doesn't work.

If by "your example" you refer to the setup described in this comment, I don't understand what you are saying here. I don't use any "definition of utility", it's just a parameter of the tool.

Comment author: conchis 13 August 2009 09:10:50AM *  1 point [-]

it's just a parameter of the tool.

It's also an entity in the problem set-up. When Omega says "I'll double your utility", what is she offering to double? Without defining this, the problem isn't well-specified.

Comment author: Vladimir_Nesov 13 August 2009 09:19:31AM 0 points [-]

Certainly, you need to resolve any underspecification. There are ways to do this usefully (or not).

Comment author: conchis 13 August 2009 09:22:08AM *  0 points [-]

Agreed. My point is simply that one particular (tempting) way of resolving the underspecification is non-useful. ;)

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