Newcomb's Paradox -- A Turing Machine Interpretation

K. Vela Velupillai

No 1309, ASSRU Discussion Papers from ASSRU - Algorithmic Social Science Research Unit

Abstract: A re-interpretation of the asymmetric roles assigned to the two agents in the genesis of Newcomb’s Paradox is suggested. The re-interpretation assigns a more active role for the ‘rational’ agent and a possible Turing Machine interpretation for the behaviour of the demon (alias, being from another planet, with an advanced technology and science,..,etc.). These modifications, while introducing new conundrums to an already diabolical interaction, do allow the ‘rational’ agent, as a computably behavioural agent, to make a clear decision, if any decision is possible at all. This latter caveat is necessary because in the Turing Machine formulation, the computably behavioural agent might have to face algorithmic undecidabilities (due to the halting problem for Turing Machines)

Date: 2013
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-hme
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:trn:utwpas:1309

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