Amiel, Yoram, Cowell, Frank A. 
ORCID: 0000-0002-3778-2152 and Gaertner, Wulf
(2009)
To be or not to be involved: a questionnaire-experimental view on Harsanyi’s utilitarian ethics.
Social Choice and Welfare, 32 (2).
pp. 299-316.
ISSN 0176-1714
Abstract
According to standard theory founded on Harsanyi (J Polit Econ 61:434–435, 1953; 63:309–321, 1955) a social welfare function can be appropriately based on the individual’s approach to choice under uncertainty. We investigate how people really do rank distributions in terms of welfare. According to Harsanyi, the evaluation can be done from the standpoint of an uninvolved external judge, a public official, for example, or by a person who knows that she holds one of the positions in society, with an equal chance for any of the available positions. Are these two structures to be viewed differently? We use a questionnaire experiment to focus on the two different interpretations of the Harsanyi approach. There are important, systematic differences that transcend the cultural background of respondents.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Official URL: | http://www.springer.com/economics/economic+theory/... |
| Additional Information: | © 2008 Springer-Verlag |
| Divisions: | Economics STICERD Centre for Analysis of Social Exclusion |
| Subjects: | B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BJ Ethics H Social Sciences > HA Statistics H Social Sciences > HB Economic Theory J Political Science > JC Political theory |
| JEL classification: | C - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods > C1 - Econometric and Statistical Methods: General > C13 - Estimation D - Microeconomics > D6 - Welfare Economics > D63 - Equity, Justice, Inequality, and Other Normative Criteria and Measurement |
| Date Deposited: | 03 May 2011 09:57 |
| Last Modified: | 12 Nov 2024 23:51 |
| URI: | http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/35806 |
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