Autore
Hammond, Peter J.

Titolo
Interpersonal comparisons of utility: why and how they are and should be made
Periodico
European University Institute of Badia Fiesolana (Fi). Department of Economics - Working papers
Anno: 1990 - Fascicolo: 3 - Pagina iniziale: 1 - Pagina finale: 65

A satisfactory complete normative criterion for individualistic ethical decisionmaking under uncertainty such as Harsanyi’s (Journal of Political Economy, 1955) requires a single fundamental utility function for all individuals which is fully interpersonally comparable. The paper discusses reasons why interpersonal comparisons of utility (ICU ’s) have been eschewed in the past and argues that most existing approaches, both empirical and ethical, to IC U ’s are flawed. Either they confound facts with values, or they are based on unrealistic hypothetical decisions in an “original position” . Instead ICU’s need to be recognized for what they really are — preferences for different kinds of people.



Testo completo: http://hdl.handle.net/1814/342

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