Counterfactual Decision Theory Is Causal Decision Theory.

The role of causation and counterfactuals in causal decision theory is vexed and disputed. Recently, Brian Hedden (2023) argues that we should abandon causal decision theory in favour of an alternative: counterfactual decision theory. I argue that, pace Hedden, counterfactual decision theory is not...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Publicado en:Pacific Philosophical Quarterly Vol. 105; no. 1; pp. 115 - 157
Autor principal: Gallow, J. Dmitri
Formato: Artículo
Publicado: Wiley-Blackwell Mar2024
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Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
Descripción
Sumario:The role of causation and counterfactuals in causal decision theory is vexed and disputed. Recently, Brian Hedden (2023) argues that we should abandon causal decision theory in favour of an alternative: counterfactual decision theory. I argue that, pace Hedden, counterfactual decision theory is not a competitor to, but rather a version of, causal decision theory – the most popular version by far. I provide textual evidence that the founding fathers of causal decision theory (Stalnaker, Gibbard, Harper, Lewis, Skyrms, Sobel, and Joyce) all endorse counterfactual decision theories. I additionally discuss why these theories came to be called 'causal', rather than 'counterfactual'. And I argue that, properly understood, causal decision theory escapes Hedden's objections.