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Avoiding Certain Frustration, Reflection, and the Cable Guy Paradox
Philosophical Studies (2008)
  • Brian Kierland
  • Bradley Monton, University of Colorado at Boulder
  • Samuel Ruhmkorff
Abstract

We discuss the cable guy paradox, both as an object of interest in its own right and as something which can be used to illuminate certain issues in the theories of rational choice and belief. We argue that a crucial principle—The Avoid Certain Frustration (ACF) principle—which is used in stating the paradox is false, thus resolving the paradox. We also explain how the paradox gives us new insight into issues related to the Reflection principle. Our general thesis is that principles that base your current opinions on your current opinions about your future opinions need not make reference to the particular times in the future at which you believe you will have those opinions, but they do need to make reference to the particular degrees of belief you believe you will have in the future.

Keywords
  • Bayesianism,
  • Reflection principle,
  • Stopping times
Publication Date
April 1, 2008
Citation Information
Brian Kierland, Bradley Monton and Samuel Ruhmkorff. "Avoiding Certain Frustration, Reflection, and the Cable Guy Paradox" Philosophical Studies Vol. 138 Iss. 3 (2008)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/brian_kierland/1/