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Is Altruism Feasible? Interdependent Preferences Provide the Answer

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  • Vicki Knoblauch

    (University of Connecticut)

Abstract

Is it possible to be altruistic in the face of altruism? With a naive definition of altruism, the answer is no. If an altruistic consumer is defined to be one whose preferences over allocations satisfy an appropriate interdependence condition, then the answer is yes. However, altruism in the face of malice is impossible. One of our findings is that if two consumers are mutually altruistic, exactly one of them should adopt selfish preferences over allocations.

Suggested Citation

  • Vicki Knoblauch, 2001. "Is Altruism Feasible? Interdependent Preferences Provide the Answer," Working papers 2001-04, University of Connecticut, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:uct:uconnp:2001-04
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    altruism; interdependent preferences;

    JEL classification:

    • D11 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Consumer Economics: Theory
    • D64 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Altruism; Philanthropy; Intergenerational Transfers

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