The causal decision theorist’s guide to managing the news

Journal article


J. Dmitri Gallow. (2020). The causal decision theorist’s guide to managing the news. The Journal of Philosophy. 117(3), pp. 117-149. https://doi.org/10.5840/jphil202011739
AuthorsJ. Dmitri Gallow
Abstract

According to orthodox causal decision theory, performing an action can give you information about factors outside of your control, but you should not take this information into account when deciding what to do. Causal decision theorists caution against an irrational policy of "managing the news." But, by providing information about factors outside of your control, performing an act can give you two, importantly different, kinds of news. It can tell you that the world in which you find yourself is good, and it can tell you that the act itself is in a position to make the world better. While the first kind of news does not speak in favor of performing an act, I believe that the second kind of news does. I present a revision of causal decision theory which advises you to manage the news about the good you stand to promote, while ignoring news about the good the world has provided for you.

Year2020
JournalThe Journal of Philosophy
Journal citation117 (3), pp. 117-149
PublisherThe Journal of Philosophy, Inc.
ISSN1549-8549
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.5840/jphil202011739
Scopus EID2-s2.0-85088532657
Research or scholarlyResearch
Page range117-149
Publisher's version
License
All rights reserved
File Access Level
Controlled
Output statusPublished
Publication dates
OnlineMar 2020
Publication process dates
Deposited07 Sep 2021
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The causal decision theorist's guide to managing the news
Gallow, J. Dmitri. (2020). The causal decision theorist's guide to managing the news. Journal of Philosophy. 117(3), pp. 117-149. https://doi.org/10.5840/jphil202011739