English

The Two Envelope Problem: a Paradox or Fallacious Reasoning?

Methodology 2013-01-03 v1

Abstract

The primary objective of this note is to revisit the two envelope problem and propose a simple resolution. It is argued that the paradox arises from the ambiguity associated with the money content $x of the chosen envelope. When X=x is observed it is not know which one of the two events, X={\theta} or X=2{\theta}, has occurred. Moreover, the money in the other envelope Y is not independent of X; when one contains {\theta} the other contains 2{\theta}. By taking these important features of the problem into account, the paradox disappears.

Cite

@article{arxiv.1301.0118,
  title  = {The Two Envelope Problem: a Paradox or Fallacious Reasoning?},
  author = {Aris Spanos},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1301.0118},
  year   = {2013}
}
R2 v1 2026-06-21T23:02:39.764Z