conchis comments on Epistemic vs. Instrumental Rationality: Case of the Leaky Agent - Less Wrong

14 Post author: Wei_Dai 07 May 2009 11:09PM

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Comment author: conchis 08 May 2009 10:54:13AM *  0 points [-]

In answer to the modified puzzle: If the expected utility of the lie is positive, then yes I would lie to myself, if I were capable of doing so effectively.

There are complications in figuring out the expected utility of the lie (lying to myself may alter my utility), but other than that it's just a standard form of commitment device. I'd probably search for more effective commitment technology first, but if there's no better commitment technology available, do it.