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    Maximax and maximin rules for uncertainty yield conflicti... — Carmelics
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    Challenges→If Pascal's claim that 'reason can decide nothing here' is interpreted as a decision under uncertainty (no probability assigned), then the argument is apparently valid

    Maximax and maximin rules for uncertainty yield conflicting prescriptions when infinite values appear in multiple columns of the decision matrix.

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    1 reason for
    1 reason against

    Reasons For

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    Reason for
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    • 1.Maximin selects worst-case outcomes while maximax selects best-case outcomes; infinite values create incomparable worst/best cases across options.
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    • 2.When multiple columns contain infinity, no single decision rule consistently ranks options, exposing fundamental logical conflict in the framework.
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    • 3.Real decisions under uncertainty often face payoff structures with unbounded upside and downside; ignoring this reveals practical limitations of both rules.
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    Reasons Against

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    Reason against
    ?
    • 1.The claim conflates mathematical infinity with decision-theoretic choice; infinity signals ill-specified problems, not inherent rule conflict.
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    • 2.Maximin and maximax apply to different decision contexts (risk-averse vs. risk-seeking); expecting them to agree assumes false equivalence.
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    • 3.Infinite payoffs in multiple columns typically indicate the decision matrix itself is malformed; proper formulation eliminates the supposed conflict.
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    Natural Theology1 linked

    Related

    If Pascal's claim that 'reason can decide nothing here' is interpreted as a deci...Infinite payoffs in multiple columns typically indicate the decision matrix itse...Maximin and maximax apply to different decision contexts (risk-averse vs. risk-s...Maximin selects worst-case outcomes while maximax selects best-case outcomes; in...
    +3 moreShow less
    Real decisions under uncertainty often face payoff structures with unbounded ups...The claim conflates mathematical infinity with decision-theoretic choice; infini...When multiple columns contain infinity, no single decision rule consistently ran...

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    claim
    Perspectives
    2 (1 for, 1 against)
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