Logical decision theories
“Logical decision theories” are algorithms for making choices which embody some variant of “Decide as though you determine the logical output of your decision algorithm.”
Besides the intros in the tabs above, a formal paper on the “functional decision theory” variant of LDT is now available. This is the best current introduction for those who prefer to read papers.
- Guide to Logical Decision Theory
The entry point for learning about logical decision theory.
- Introduction to Logical Decision Theory for Economists
An introduction to ‘logical decision theory’ and its implications for the Ultimatum Game, voting in elections, bargaining problems, and more.
- Omega (alien philosopher-troll)
The entity that sets up all those trolley problems. An alien philosopher/troll imbued with unlimited powers, excellent predictive ability, and very odd motives.
- Introduction to Logical Decision Theory for Computer Scientists
‘Logical decision theory’ from a math/programming standpoint, including how two agents with mutual knowledge of each other’s code can cooperate on the Prisoner’s Dilemma.
- Introduction to Logical Decision Theory for Analytic Philosophers
Why “choose as if controlling the logical output of your decision algorithm” is the most appealing candidate for the principle of rational choice.
- An Introduction to Logical Decision Theory for Everyone Else
So like what the heck is ‘logical decision theory’ in terms a normal person can understand?
- Newcomblike decision problems
Decision problems in which your choice correlates with something other than its physical consequences (say, because somebody has predicted you very well) can do weird things to some decision theories.
- Updateless decision theories
Decision theories that maximize their policies (mappings from sense inputs to actions), rather than using their sense inputs to update their beliefs and then selecting actions.
- Fair problem class
A problem is ‘fair’ (according to logical decision theory) when only the results matter and not how we get there.
- Decision theory
The mathematical study of ideal decisionmaking