Rational Probabilistic Incoherence. A Reply to Michael Caie

Summary

In addition to specific responses to Caie’s paper, this presents some bullets that need to be bitten if one adopts a consequentialist view of epistemic utility. Further such bullets are also presented in my thesis (ch.7)

Abstract

In Michael Caie’s article “Rational Probabilistic Incoherence,” Caie argues that in light of certain situations involving self-reference, it is sometimes rational to have probabilistically incoherent credences. This essay further considers his arguments. It shows that probabilism isn’t to blame for the failure of rational introspection and that Caie’s modified accuracy criterion conflicts with Dutch book considerations, is scoring rule dependent, and leads to the failure of rational introspection.

Publication
The Philosophical Review

See also ch7 of my thesis for further development.