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Axiomatic characterizations of belief updating under ambiguity

Author

Listed:
  • Shinya Sugiura

    (Department of Economics, Hitotsubashi University)

Abstract

We characterize three rules for updating a convex capacity at the level of beliefs, with no reference to acts or preferences: the Fagin-Halpern, maximum likelihood, and Dempster-Shafer rules. Two axioms, Caution and Unanimity, force the posterior to equal the lower envelope of the Bayesian updates of a set of admissible priors; the choice of that set selects the rule.

Suggested Citation

  • Shinya Sugiura, 2026. "Axiomatic characterizations of belief updating under ambiguity," Economics Bulletin, AccessEcon, vol. 46(3), pages 1039-1044.
  • Handle: RePEc:ebl:ecbull:eb-26-00415
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    File URL: http://www.accessecon.com/Pubs/EB/2026/Volume46/EB-26-V46-I3-P85.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Takashi Ui & Atsushi Kajii, 2005. "Equivalence of the Dempster-Shafer rule and the maximum likelihood rule implies convexity," Economics Bulletin, AccessEcon, vol. 4(10), pages 1-6.
    2. Cheng, Xiaoyu, 2022. "Relative Maximum Likelihood updating of ambiguous beliefs," Journal of Mathematical Economics, Elsevier, vol. 99(C).
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    4. repec:ebl:ecbull:v:4:y:2005:i:10:p:1-6 is not listed on IDEAS
    5. Alós-Ferrer, Carlos & Mihm, Maximilian, 2023. "An Axiomatic Characterization of Bayesian Updating," Journal of Mathematical Economics, Elsevier, vol. 104(C).
    6. Eichberger, Jurgen & Grant, Simon & Kelsey, David, 2007. "Updating Choquet beliefs," Journal of Mathematical Economics, Elsevier, vol. 43(7-8), pages 888-899, September.
    7. Mayumi Horie, 2006. "A unified representation of conditioning rules for convex capacities," Economics Bulletin, AccessEcon, vol. 4(19), pages 1-6.
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • D8 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty
    • D7 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making

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