Rational Choice

[lovely]

The only information that is useful in my decision is that I can keep the contents of A and B if I open both, or only A if I only open A. The outcome is not decided by my actual choice, but by my predicted choice. Unless you believe in pre-determined destiny, at which point the scenerio gets too complicated to rationalize.

The outcome had already been decided before my action, therefore there is either $100 in B and $0 in A, or $10,000 in A and $0 in B. My choice will not make the make the $10k vanish and the $100 appear if I go for both.

If I choose to only open A, then I get $0 or $10,000.

If I choose to open both, I get $10,000 or $100.

Since the contents are not affected by my choice at the time I can make my choice, and if I open both I can keep the contents of either box, I always open both for a net gain.

Unless I read this wrong.

Ah, I think you helped me see this a bit more clearly.

The Lord bless you.

 

[Paidion]

Box A only: 2

Both boxes: 3

Thanks to those 5 persons who have registered your choice. It would be great to have some other registered "votes". I am posting the problem once again to make it easier for others to read, to think, and to post:

Suppose you have been chosen to participate in a psychological experiment. You are going to be paid well. First you enter a room which contains a complex computer. You are seated in a chair in front of it, while the operator places electrodes on your head. These electrodes transmit brain waves into the computer..

After removing the electrodes, the operator goes into the adjoining room and returns. Then you are taken into that room where there is a table on which are two boxes labelled "A" and "B". You are told that you may open either Box A, and keep the money which is in that box, or you may open both boxes and keep the money from both boxes.

You are also given the following true information before making your choice. The operator has gotten a prediction from the computer after your brain waves were analyzed. If the computer predicted that you would open both boxes, then the operator placed nothing in Box A, and a hundred dollars Box B. But if the computer predicted that you would open only Box A, then the operator placed ten thousand dollars in Box A and a hundred dollars in Box B. The experiment has already been done with 500 other people, and the computer predicted correctly what the participant chose in all 500 cases.

What will you choose? Both boxes, or Box A alone?

Please relate you choice. It would be great if you explained why you made that choice. But first copy the "counter" from the top of this post to the top of your post, and add one to the previous number beside the choice which you made.

 

[lovely]

Okay, so I read it again in light of what I caught in Vault's post. Even if the computer can predict, I can still control how much I receive somewhat.

If I chose A according to the computer, but choose both later, I can gain $10,100.00.
If I chose A according to the computer, and choose only A later, then I can receive $10,000.00
If I chose A according to the computer, but only choose B later, then I can receive $100.00
If I chose B according to the computer, and choose both later, then I receive $100.00
If I chose B according to the computer, but choose only A later, then I receive $0.
If I chose B according to the computer, but choose only B later, then I receive $100.00

Paidion...this is making me think too much this morning. :naughty

Paidion, I just caught your post, I was writing at the same time.

 

[VaultZero4Me]

hey lovely, your almost there.

two things:

You only have 2 choices, choose A or choose A & B.

If you were predicted to choose A, and actually choose A you get $10,000

If you were predicted to choose A, yet actually choose A & B you get $10,000

If you were predicted to choose A&B, yet actually choose A you get $0

If you were predicted to choose A&B, and actually choose A&B, you get $100

As you can see, always choose A&B and you will get whatever money was put in the box, right or wrong.

But, the paradox is, this type of rational thinking will likely cause you to only get $100, because the computer will have probably predicted it.

Someone who would go with A by faith, would likely get the $10k.

It is just that, by the time you are even aware of the boxes, the money has been placed, and out of your control.

 

[Paidion]

If you were predicted to choose A, yet actually choose A & B you get $10,000

Just a little correction, Vault Zero. The rules state:

... if the computer predicted that you would open only Box A, then the operator placed ten thousand dollars in Box A and a hundred dollars in Box B.

Thus, if you were predicted to choose A, yet actually choose A & B you get $10,100, for if you choose both boxes, you are allowed to keep the contents of both.

 

[VaultZero4Me]

aha.

Heres to reading comprehension.

 

[Rocksolid]

Box A only: 3

Both boxes: 3

Simple, Box A only. If the computer can read my mind then I get $10,000. If the computer is wrong, I get nothing and I'm only losing $100.