Is there a link to an online explanation of this? When are the consequences of breaking an oath worse than a destroyed world? What did “world” mean when he said it? Humans? Earth? Humans on Earth? Energy in the Multiverse?
Suppose someone comes to a rationalist Confessor and says: “You know, tomorrow I’m planning to wipe out the human species using this neat biotech concoction I cooked up in my lab.” What then? Should you break the seal of the confessional to save humanity?
It appears obvious to me that the issues here are just those of the one-shot Prisoner’s Dilemma, and I do not consider it obvious that you should defect on the one-shot PD if the other player cooperates in advance on the expectation that you will cooperate as well.
Thanks! I had read that, but had forgotten about it. Perhaps EY’s position makes more sense within timeless decision theory? Since it seems to be based on an absolute requirement for integrity of pre-commitment.
On the other hand, he did not express disapproval of sinking the ship to stop the German nuclear bomb. What if Haukelid had had to promise not to harm the ship, in order to get access to it?
Prices or Bindings
Thanks! I had read that, but had forgotten about it. Perhaps EY’s position makes more sense within timeless decision theory? Since it seems to be based on an absolute requirement for integrity of pre-commitment.
On the other hand, he did not express disapproval of sinking the ship to stop the German nuclear bomb. What if Haukelid had had to promise not to harm the ship, in order to get access to it?