Extending the Original Position: Revisiting the Pattanaik Critique of Vickrey/Harsanyi Utilitarianism

Peter Hammond

No 270541, Economic Research Papers from University of Warwick - Department of Economics

Abstract: Harsanyi’s original position treats personal identity, upon which each individual’s utility depends, as risky. Pattanaik’s critique is related to the problem of scaling “state-dependent” von Neumann–Morgenstern utility when determining subjective probabilities. But a unique social welfare functional, incorporating both level and unit interpersonal comparisons, emerges from contemplating an “extended” original position allowing the probability of becoming each person to be chosen. Moreover, the paper suggests the relevance of a “Harsanyi ethical type space”, with types as both causes and objects of preference.

Keywords: Financial; Economics (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 24
Date: 2013
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Related works:
Working Paper: Extending the Original Position: Revisiting the Pattanaik Critique of Vickrey/Harsanyi Utilitarianism (2013)
Working Paper: Extending the Original Position: Revisiting the Pattanaik Critique of Vickrey/Harsanyi Utilitarianism (2013)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ags:uwarer:270541

DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.270541

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