The conclusion to section “11.1.3. Medical Newcomb problems” begs a question which remains unanswered: -- “So just as CDT “loses” on Newcomb’s problem, EDT will “lose” on Medical Newcomb problems (if the tickle defense fails) or will join CDT and “lose” on Newcomb’s Problem itself (if the tickle defense succeeds).”
If I was designing a self-driving car and had to provide an algorithm for what to do during an emergency, I may choose to hard-code CDT or EDT into the system, as seems appropriate. However, as an intelligent being, not a self-driving car, I am not bound to always use EDT or always use CDT: I have the option to carefully analyse the system, and, upon discovering its acausal nature (as the medical researchers do in the second study) then I should choose to use CDT; else I should use EDT.
So the real question is: “Under what circumstances should I use EDT, and when should I use CDT”? Section 11.1.3 suggests a partial answer: when the evidence shows that the system really is acausal, and maybe use EDT the rest of the time.
Hmm. I just got a −1 on this comment … I thought I posed a reasonable question, and I would have thought it to even be a “commonly asked question”, so why would it get a −1? Am I misunderstanding something, or am I being unclear?
The conclusion to section “11.1.3. Medical Newcomb problems” begs a question which remains unanswered: -- “So just as CDT “loses” on Newcomb’s problem, EDT will “lose” on Medical Newcomb problems (if the tickle defense fails) or will join CDT and “lose” on Newcomb’s Problem itself (if the tickle defense succeeds).”
If I was designing a self-driving car and had to provide an algorithm for what to do during an emergency, I may choose to hard-code CDT or EDT into the system, as seems appropriate. However, as an intelligent being, not a self-driving car, I am not bound to always use EDT or always use CDT: I have the option to carefully analyse the system, and, upon discovering its acausal nature (as the medical researchers do in the second study) then I should choose to use CDT; else I should use EDT.
So the real question is: “Under what circumstances should I use EDT, and when should I use CDT”? Section 11.1.3 suggests a partial answer: when the evidence shows that the system really is acausal, and maybe use EDT the rest of the time.
Hmm. I just got a −1 on this comment … I thought I posed a reasonable question, and I would have thought it to even be a “commonly asked question”, so why would it get a −1? Am I misunderstanding something, or am I being unclear?
Omega is, by definition, always truthful.
EDIT: Sorry, thought this was in reply to a different comment.