Sure, I already exist; together with the fact that I make the exact same decision my father made, that implies I procreate and therefore I’m not a CDT’er.
The point with these problems is, I believe, that your decision procedure is implemented at least 1 time, but possibly 2 times throughout time—depending on what your decision procedure outputs.
In Procreation*, if “my” decision procedure outputs “procreate”, it first does so “in” my father, who then procreates, causing me to exist. I then also procreate.
But if “my” decision procedure outputs “don’t procreate”, it also first does so “in” my father, who then doesn’t procreate, and then I don’t exist.
The question “Should I procreate?” is a bit misleading, then, as I possibly don’t exist.
Or, we indeed assume I do exist; but then it’s not much of a decision problem anymore. If I exist, then my father procreated, and I necessarily procreate too.
Thanks for your reaction!
Sure, I already exist; together with the fact that I make the exact same decision my father made, that implies I procreate and therefore I’m not a CDT’er.
The point with these problems is, I believe, that your decision procedure is implemented at least 1 time, but possibly 2 times throughout time—depending on what your decision procedure outputs.
In Procreation*, if “my” decision procedure outputs “procreate”, it first does so “in” my father, who then procreates, causing me to exist. I then also procreate.
But if “my” decision procedure outputs “don’t procreate”, it also first does so “in” my father, who then doesn’t procreate, and then I don’t exist.
The question “Should I procreate?” is a bit misleading, then, as I possibly don’t exist.
Or, we indeed assume I do exist; but then it’s not much of a decision problem anymore. If I exist, then my father procreated, and I necessarily procreate too.