Decision Theory 2015

All readings except Peterson (2009) can be downloaded by clicking on their publishing year.

Week 1: Introduction

Reading:

• Martin Peterson (2009), chapter 1 and ch. 2-2.3. [Errata list for Peterson (2009).]

Extra Readings:

• Peterson (2009), section 2.4;

• Briggs (2014), sections 1 and 2;

• Lara Buchak (forthcoming).

Lecture notes for wk 1.

Week 2: Utilities

Readings:

• Stefánsson & Steele (20015), sections 2-2.2;

• Peterson (2009), ch 5-5.2 (pp. 91-106);

• Broome (1991b)

Extra Readings:

• Peterson (2009), sections 5.3-5.4;

• Broome (1999a);

• Briggs (2014), section 3.1.

Lecture notes for wk. 2.

Week 3: von Neumann and Morgenstern's theory

Readings:

• Peterson (2009), ch. 4-4.3 (pp. 64-78) and ch. 8-8.4 (pp. 164-169);

• Stefánsson & Steele (20015), section 2.3.

Extra Readings:

• Gustafsson (2013);

• Broome (1991a), ch. 5;

• Schick (1986), section II.

Lecture notes for wk. 3.

Week 4: vNM and risk

Readings:

• Peterson (2009), sections 4.4 and 8.5;

• Hansson (1988), sections 1-6 (no need to worry about all the technical details).

Extra Readings:

• Broome (1991a), ch. 5;

• Broome (1999b);

• Briggs (2014), section 3.2.

"Extra Extra" Readings:

• Buchak (unpublished);

• Stefánsson & Bradley (2015).

Lecture notes for wk. 4.

Week 5: Subjective and objective probabilities

Readings:

• Peterson (2009), chapters 6 & 7, up until p. 146;

• Lewis (1980).

Extra Readings:

• Lewis (1994);

• Eriksson & Hájek (2007);

• Ramsey (1926);

• Hájek (2011);

• Talbott (2008).

Lecture notes for wk. 5.

Week 6: Choice under uncertainty (Savage)

Readings:

• Stefánsson & Steele (20015), section 3.1;

• Peterson (2009), pp. 147-153.

Extra Readings:

• Meacham & Weisberg (2011);

• Stefánsson & Steele (20015), section 3.2;

• Eriksson & Hájek (2007).

Lecture notes for wk. 6.

Week 7: Ambiguity and imprecise probabilities

Readings:

• Ellsberg (1961);

• Peterson (2009), section 4.5 (pp. 81-83.)

Extra Readings:

• S. Bradley (2014);

• R. Bradley (forthcoming);

• Gärdenfors & Sahlin (1982);

• Levi (1986).

Lecture notes for wk. 7.

Week 8: Dutch Book arguments

Readings:

• Hájek (2008);

• Peterson (2009), sections 7.5.2 and 7.5.3 (pp. 153-159).

Extra Readings:

• Ramsey (1926);

• Schick (1986);

• Hájek (2005);

• Eriksson & Hájek (2007).

Lecture notes for wk. 8.