The word “produce” is causal language. It seems to me that even if our actions are correlated with other people, there’s no reason to think that we in particular are the ones controlling that correlated action. Do you think we can be said to “produce” utility if we’re not causally in control of that production?
I guess it’s useful then to clarify which point we’re interested in.
I personally am interested in the question “given free will and personal control over the outcome, should we choose a strategy of pursuing infinite utility?”
I am less interested in “if you did not have control over the outcome, would you say it’s better if the universe was deterministically set up such that we are pursuing infinite utility?”
The word “produce” is causal language. It seems to me that even if our actions are correlated with other people, there’s no reason to think that we in particular are the ones controlling that correlated action. Do you think we can be said to “produce” utility if we’re not causally in control of that production?
Yes, I feel comfortable saying if the EV changes based on our action, we are responsible in some sense or produced it.
In Newcomb’s paradox, I think you can “produce” additional dollars.
I guess it’s useful then to clarify which point we’re interested in.
I personally am interested in the question “given free will and personal control over the outcome, should we choose a strategy of pursuing infinite utility?”
I am less interested in “if you did not have control over the outcome, would you say it’s better if the universe was deterministically set up such that we are pursuing infinite utility?”
Are you interested in the second question?
I’m mostly interested in the first. I think people should take Pascal’s wager!