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The Foundations of Causal Decision Theory James M. Joyce (University of Michigan, Ann Arbor)

The Foundations of Causal Decision Theory By James M. Joyce (University of Michigan, Ann Arbor)

The Foundations of Causal Decision Theory by James M. Joyce (University of Michigan, Ann Arbor)


Summary

This book defends the view that any adequate account of rational decision making must take a decision maker's beliefs about causal relations into account. In providing the most complete and robust defence of causal decision theory the book will be of interest to a broad range of readers.

The Foundations of Causal Decision Theory Summary

The Foundations of Causal Decision Theory by James M. Joyce (University of Michigan, Ann Arbor)

This book defends the view that any adequate account of rational decision making must take a decision maker's beliefs about causal relations into account. The early chapters of the book introduce the non-specialist to the rudiments of expected utility theory. The major technical advance offered by the book is a 'representation theorem' that shows that both causal decision theory and its main rival, Richard Jeffrey's logic of decision, are both instances of a more general conditional decision theory. The book solves a long-standing problem for Jeffrey's theory by showing for the first time how to obtain a unique utility and probability representation for preferences and judgements of comparative likelihood. The book also contains a major new discussion of what it means to suppose that some event occurs or that some proposition is true. The most complete and robust defence of causal decision theory available.

The Foundations of Causal Decision Theory Reviews

The author writes in a style that is on the one hand entertaining and lighthearted and on the other hand highly technical in its analysis of axiomatic foundations. Readers who are interested in theoretical, prescriptive decision making from a philosophical perspective will find this a valuable book. Journal of Mathematical Psychology
This book makes a significant contribution to the standard decision theory. Chrisw Swoyer Univ. of Oklahoma

Table of Contents

Preface; Introduction: a chance to reconsider; 1. Prudential rationality as expected utility maximization; 2. Decision problems; 3. Savage's theory; 4. Evidential decision theory; 5. Causal decision theory; 6. A general theory of conditional beliefs; 7. A representation theorem for causal decision theory; 8. Where things stand; Notes; References.

Additional information

NPB9780521641647
9780521641647
0521641640
The Foundations of Causal Decision Theory by James M. Joyce (University of Michigan, Ann Arbor)
New
Hardback
Cambridge University Press
1999-04-13
284
N/A
Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.
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