From local utility to neural networks

Shaowei Ke and Chen Zhao

Journal of Mathematical Economics, 2024, vol. 113, issue C

Abstract: We introduce and analyze two preference-based notions of local linearity in the spirit of Machina (1982). We show how the weaker among the two extends Machina’s local utility analysis, and that the stronger among the two characterizes continuous finite piecewise linear (CFPL) utility functions. We introduce a representation of the decision maker’s preference called the neural-network utility representation that is equivalent to the CFPL representation, in which the decision maker evaluates an alternative through a neural network.

Keywords: Linear utility function; Piecewise linear utility function; Maxmin utility; Neural networks (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:mateco:v:113:y:2024:i:c:s030440682400065x

DOI: 10.1016/j.jmateco.2024.103003

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