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Living without state-independence of utilities

Author

Listed:
  • Brian Hill

    (GREGH - Groupement de Recherche et d'Etudes en Gestion à HEC - HEC Paris - Ecole des Hautes Etudes Commerciales - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

Abstract

This article is concerned with the representation of preferences which do not satisfy the ordinary axioms for state-independent utilities. After suggesting reasons for not being satisfied with solutions involving state-dependent utilities, an alternative representation shall be proposed involving state-independent utilities and a situation-dependent factor. The latter captures the interdependencies between states and consequences. Two sets of axioms are proposed, each permitting the derivation of subjective probabilities, state-independent utilities, and a situation-dependent factor, and each operating in a different framework. The first framework involves the concept of a decision situation—consisting of a set of states, a set of consequences and a preference relation on acts; the probabilities, utilities and situation-dependent factor are elicited by referring to other, appropriate decision situations. The second framework, which is technically related, operates in a fixed decision situation; particular "subsituations" are employed in the derivation of the representation. Possible interpretations of the situation-dependent factor and the notion of situation are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Brian Hill, 2009. "Living without state-independence of utilities," Post-Print hal-00463428, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-00463428
    DOI: 10.1007/s11238-008-9127-x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. repec:feb:framed:0074 is not listed on IDEAS
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Elicitation; Subjective probability; Subjective expected utility; State-dependent utility; Small worlds;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C60 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Mathematical Methods; Programming Models; Mathematical and Simulation Modeling - - - General
    • D81 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Criteria for Decision-Making under Risk and Uncertainty

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