Paradoxes of Rationality, Probability, and Utility: Slaying Decision Theory’s Dragons

— —

Lou Marinoff, Ph.D.

Paradoxes of Rationality, Probability, and Utility

Name: Paradoxes of Rationality, Probability, and Utility
Price: 160 AUD
Availability: OutOfStock
ISBN: 9781839998690

Slaying Decision Theory’s Dragons

Lou Marinoff, Ph.D.

$160

Hardback

Not in-store but you can order this
How long will it take?

Availability Information

We source books from suppliers in Australia and overseas. For books we don't currently have in stock, the time it takes to get them from our suppliers can vary widely - from a few days to a few months - so we check each book with each supplier to determine the expected time it will take to be supplied to us.

We will update you on expected arrival time to us. If this delay is too long, please let us know within 2 business days and we can give you options regarding cancelling or adjusting your order. More details on cancelling your order can be found in our Terms of Trade.

To find out the anticipated arrival time for specific items prior to ordering, please contact us by phone or email:

Phone +61 2 9264 3111, or 1800 4 BOOKS (1800 4 26657) if outside Sydney:
option 1 Abbey's Bookshop (Crime, History, Science, Kids & more) • info@abbeys.com.au
option 2 Language Book Centre (ESL & Foreign Languages) • language@abbeys.com.au
option 3 Galaxy Bookshop (Sci-fi, Fantasy, Romance, Graphic Novels) • sf@galaxybooks.com.au

QTY:

English

Anthem Press
05 May 2026

Decision theory: general; Game theory; Philosophy of science

An anthology that presents 25 years of Lou Marinoff's work addressing foundational paradoxes and dilemmas in rational choice, probability, and utility theory, offering original analyses of and/or resolutions to classic problems like the Prisoner's Dilemma, Newcomb's Problem, and the Two Envelopes Problem

This unique anthology reflects the author's analyses and/or resolutions of some of the most perennially perplexing and widely discussed problems arising in rational choice theory, probability theory, and utility theory. It spans 25 years of his research and publications in these related fields. Part One features treatments of the Prisoner's Dilemma, illustrating why there is no objectively 'best strategy' in nature and nurture alike. Part Two treats Newcomb's problem, along with potential failures of misguided 'collective' rationality in non-cooperative multi-player games. Part Three examines pillars and pitfalls of the widely applied and often mis-applied Principle of Indifference, while resolving Bertrand's notorious random chord paradox, the Sleeping Beauty Problem, and the Two Envelopes Problem Part Four presents a thorny moral dilemma debated by Hobbes, Spinoza, and Kant, namely, the ethics of redeeming oneself from a highway robber via the expedient of lying. Part Four then introduces a 'reverse Turing test' that leads to a refutation of the Strong AI thesis. It concludes with a methodological comparison of solutions by an engineer, a physicist, and a mathematician to an old Cambridge challenge puzzle, while shedding new light on a humorous but ontologically impossible solution by Dirac.

By: Lou Marinoff Ph.D.
Imprint: Anthem Press
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 229mm, Width: 153mm, Spine: 21mm
Weight: 573g
ISBN: 9781839998690
ISBN 10: 1839998695
Pages: 300
Publication Date: 05 May 2026
Audience: Professional and scholarly , Undergraduate
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

Acknowledgments; Author’S Preface; List Of Figures; List Of Tables; Part 1. The Prisoner’S Dilemma; Part 2. Newcomb’S Problem And Other Paradoxes Of Rationality; Part 3. Paradoxes Of Probability And Utility; Part 4. Paradoxes Of Morality And Meaning; Bibliography; Index

Lou Marinoff is a professor of philosophy at The City College of New York and a prolific author of popular and scholarly books, invited book chapters, and peer-reviewed articles.

Reviews for Paradoxes of Rationality, Probability, and Utility: Slaying Decision Theory’s Dragons

""“Marinoff collects here his important, engaging, and provocative papers on a number of well-known paradoxes of rationality. To this he adds chapters not previously published on Sleeping Beauty and the Two Envelopes paradox and offers an intriguing diagnosis common to both that is well worth further discussion.” — Nicholas Shackel, Professor Emeritus, Cardiff University, UK “Lou Marinoff distinguishes himself with exceptional expertise not only in philosophical practice but also in decision theory. In this book, Marinoff dissects ‘hard problems’ plaguing decision theory and puts forward targeted solutions and incisive insights. This book serves as an invaluable guide for readers seeking to grasp the cutting-edge developments in decision theory.” — Tianqun Pan, Nanjing University, China “Absolutely brilliant! This superb volume deftly unravels enduring paradoxes in the philosophy of science—from the Prisoner’s Dilemma to the Two Envelopes Paradox—with incisive rigor and rare imaginative flair. It illuminates why even our most elegant failures remain philosophy’s profoundest teachers. Essential reading for serious scholars and inquisitive minds alike.” — Young E. Rhee, Department of Philosophy, Dongguk University, South Korea