A critique of functional decision theory

Abstract

This post critiques Functional Decision Theory (FDT). Though I agree with some things FDT proponents say, many of their other claims to novelty or superiority are unfounded. Arguments for FDT tend to use contrived examples that do not represent real-world decision problems, which FDT in any form will violate Guaranteed Payoffs, a basic constraint on decision theory, and FDT is deeply indeterminate, despite claims to the contrary. I conclude that FDT faces multiple, fatal problems.– AI-generated abstract.