If the machine predicts that you will take both Boxes A and B, Box B will be empty. But if the machine predicts that you will take Box B only, then Box B will contain $1,000,000,000. The machine has already done it’s prediction and the contents of box B has already been set. Which box/boxes do you take?
To reiterate, you choices are:
-Box A and B
-Box B only
(“Box A only” is not an option because no one is that stupid lol)
Please explain your reasoning.
My answer is:
spoiler
I mean I’d choose Box B only, I’d just gamble on the machine being right. If the machine is wrong, I’ll break that thing.
This is based on Newcomb’s Paradox (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newcomb’s_paradox), but I increased the money to make it more interesting.
Box A and B as the prediction has already been made so the choice has no bearing on the contents at this point. You either get the guaranteed million or both.
Well what you choose may not direct affect what is inside Box B, but there is still a huge difference between the two choices.
Imagine the way that the machine did it’s prediction was copying your brain and making this copied brain choose in a simulation. Assuming the copied brain is completely identical to your brain, the machine could predict with 100% accuracy what the real you would choose. In this sense, what you choose can affect what’s inside Box B (or rather, what your copied brain chooses can affect whats inside Box B).
One more thing to think about: How do you know that you aren’t the simulated brain that’s been copied?