Time Biases

Abstract

You are time-biased if you have systematic preferences about when events happen. There are different varieties of time bias. Near-biased agents discount events as they are scheduled further in the future. Future-biased agents discount events because they have already occurred. This book argues that it is irrational to be time-biased. In the process it develops the theory of temporal neutrality for rational planning. The first part (Chapters 1–4) describes two arguments against near bias: one based on well-being and one based on arbitrariness. It also develops a theory of egoistic concern. The second part (Chapters 5–7) argues that structurally similar arguments can be mounted against future bias. In the process it diagnoses issues we have understanding and measuring past discounting. The final part (Chapters 8–11) explains why we are time-biased and shows how the theory of temporal neutrality can help us determine when to stick to our past commitments, how to value an afterlife, and how to discover meaning in life even if we cannot make a permanent difference in the world.

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