Debate: denying substrate consciousness could make CDT+GT agents fail at ex ante optimality
jessi_cata · x · 2026-10-09
A niche decision-theory debate: the parent post argues CDT+GT (aka CDT+SIA) doesn't go far enough — if Omega in Newcomb's problem simulates the agent on an "unconscious" substrate, CDT+GT neglects that its action affects Omega's prediction, so ex ante optimality requires adding computational functionalism (CDT+GT+CF).
This reply adds: some believe digital or water-pipe computers aren't conscious, and a CDT+GT agent holding that belief could fail at ex ante optimality since it wouldn't count its water-pipe counterpart as conscious.
Related event: X Users Debate Whether CDT+GT Fails Without Substrate Consciousness(4 posts)→
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