The arbitrariness objection of interpersonal utility comparison Cover Image

Problem arbitralności interpersonalnych porównań użyteczności
The arbitrariness objection of interpersonal utility comparison

Author(s): Tomasz Kwarciński
Subject(s): Economy
Published by: Instytut Nauk Ekonomicznych Polskiej Akademii Nauk
Keywords: utility; well-being; interpersonal comparison; Lionel Robbins

Summary/Abstract: The goal of the article is an attempt to answer the question “What is a characteristic of the arbitrariness of interpersonal utility comparison (IUC)?” in particular “Which IUC’s components are bearers of arbitrarlity?” and an attempt to assess of the main strategies of dealing with the IUC problem. After scrutiny of Lionel Robbins’ IUC criticism, and discussion about the concepts of utility cardinalizations, IUC methods and some possible strategies of dealing with the IUC problem we draw the conclusion that, with respect to arbitrariness objection, the objectivistic strategies of solving IUC problem are not worse than the other alternative approaches.

  • Issue Year: 2014
  • Issue No: 3
  • Page Range: 415-435
  • Page Count: 21
  • Language: Polish