You're saying that it's common knowledge that the oracle is, in fact, predicting the future; is this part of the thought experiment?
If so, there's another issue. Presumably I wouldn't be giving the oracle $1000 if the oracle hadn't approached me first; it's only a true prediction of the future because it was made. In a world where actual predictions of the future are common, there should be laws against this, similar to laws against blackmail (even though it's not blackmail).
(I obviously hand over the $1000 first, before trying to appeal to the law.)
(I obviously hand over the $1000 first, before trying to appeal to the law.)
Why? People who use the strategy of always paying don't live any longer than people who use the strategy of never paying. They also save money and get to find out a week in advance if they'd die so they can get their affairs in order.
If it's worth saying, but not worth its own post (even in Discussion), then it goes here.
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