Dutch Book Arguments

Beliefs come in degrees, and Dutch Book arguments establish principles of rationality for these degrees by appealing to their role in guiding decisions. These principles include Probabilism, Conditionalization, and the Reflection Principle, and objections to them are considered.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 75 pages
Publication date: 17 September 2020
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Our beliefs encompass a range of degrees, with some holding greater conviction than others. For instance, I am 70% confident that it will rain tomorrow, while my confidence in winning the lottery ticket is mere 0.001%. Moreover, we believe that these degrees of belief should adhere to certain principles to be deemed rational. For example, it would be illogical to believe that a person is taller than 6 feet more strongly than you believe they are taller than 5 feet, as the former necessarily entails the latter.

In the realm of Dutch Book arguments, we seek to establish the principles of rationality for degrees of belief by leveraging their role in guiding decision-making. Specifically, we demonstrate that degrees of belief that fail to satisfy these principles will invariably lead to actions that are either harmful or undesirable. In this Element, we present Dutch Book arguments for various principles, including Probabilism, Conditionalization, and the Reflection Principle, among others. We also formulate and examine the most significant objections to these arguments.

While Dutch Book arguments have been influential in the philosophical discourse, they have also faced criticism and debate. Some objections argue that the principles proposed may be too restrictive or rigid, limiting our ability to believe and act in certain situations. Others challenge the empirical basis of the arguments, questioning whether the principles hold true in all cases or only in specific scenarios.

Despite these objections, Dutch Book arguments continue to be a topic of study and discussion in the field of philosophy. They offer a valuable framework for analyzing and evaluating our beliefs, and for developing more rational and informed decision-making processes. As we continue to explore the complexities of belief and reasoning, Dutch Book arguments will likely remain an important tool for shaping our understanding of the world and our place in it.

Weight: 170g
Dimension: 152 x 230 x 4 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781108713443