Rational Decision and Causality (Cambridge Studies in Philosophy) - Softcover

Eells, Ellery

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0521110114 ISBN 13: 9780521110112

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2009

Synopsis

In past years, the traditional Bayesian theory of rational decision making, based on subjective calculations of expected utility, has faced powerful attack from philosophers such as David Lewis and Brian Skyrms, who advance an alternative causal decision theory. The test they present for the Bayesian is exemplified in the decision problem known as 'Newcomb's paradox' and in related decision problems and is held to support the prescriptions of the causal theory. As well as his conclusions, the concepts and methods of Professor Eells introduces in the course of his analyses have extensive implications, not solely for probability theorists narrowly conceived, but for economists, statisticians and psychologists concerned with decision making and the employment of Bayesian principles. They and their students will, in addition, find the early chapters of great use as a background and introduction to the subject as a whole.

About this title

Book Description:

In past years, the traditional Bayesian theory of rational decision making, based on subjective calculations of expected utility, has faced powerful attack from philosophers such as David Lewis and Brian Skyrms, who advance an alternative causal decision theory. Of great use as a background and introduction to the subject of decision making as a whole.

About the Author:

Professor Ellery Eells (1953-2006) was a leading philosopher of science, best known for his probabilistic theories of causation and his decision theory. He authored and edited several books, including Probability and Conditionals: Belief Revision and Rational Decision (with Brian Skyrms, Cambridge, 1994) and Probabilistic Causality (Cambridge, 1991).

About this edition

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 0521110114
• ISBN 13: 9780521110112
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 248