Vladimir_Nesov comments on Counterfactual Mugging - Less Wrong

52 Post author: Vladimir_Nesov 19 March 2009 06:08AM

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Comment author: taw 19 March 2009 11:02:14AM 11 points [-]

I really fail to see why you're all so fascinated by Newcomb-like problems. When you break causality, all logic based on causality doesn't function any more. If you try to model it mathematically, you will get inconsistent model always.

Comment deleted 19 March 2009 12:58:42PM *  [-]
Comment author: Vladimir_Nesov 19 March 2009 04:41:03PM 7 points [-]

The primary reason for resolving Newcomb-like problems is to explore the fundamental limitations of decision theories.

It sounds like you are still confused about free will. See Righting a Wrong Question, Possibility and Could-ness, and Daniel Dennett's lecture here.

Comment deleted 21 March 2009 04:04:39PM [-]
Comment author: Vladimir_Nesov 22 March 2009 02:22:02AM 3 points [-]

I think I'm not confused about free will, and that the links I gave should help to resolve most of the confusion. Maybe you should write a blog post/LW article where you formulate the nature of your confusion (if you still have it after reading the relevant material), I'll respond to that.