timtyler comments on Applying utility functions to humans considered harmful - Less Wrong

26 Post author: Kaj_Sotala 03 February 2010 07:22PM

You are viewing a comment permalink. View the original post to see all comments and the full post content.

Comments (114)

You are viewing a single comment's thread. Show more comments above.

Comment author: timtyler 05 February 2010 09:59:58PM *  0 points [-]

The utility function plays no role in the agent's decision process.

The utility function determines what the agent does. It is the agent's utility function.

Utilities are numbers. They are associated with actions - that association is what allows utility-based agents to choose between their possible actions.

The actions produces outcomes - so, the utilities are also associated with the relevant outcomes.