The ignorant observer
We propose an extension of Harsanyi's Impartial Observer Theorem based on the representation of ignorance as the set of all possible probability distributions over individuals. We obtain a characterization of the observer's preferences that, under our most restrictive conditions, is a convex combination of Harsanyi's utilitarian and Rawls' egalitarian criteria. This representation is ethically meaningful, in the sense that individuals' utilities are cardinally measurable and fully comparable. This allows us to conclude that the impartiality requirement cannot be used to decide between Rawls' and Harsanyi's positions.
Year of publication: |
2008-08
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Authors: | Gajdos, Thibault ; Kandil, Feriel |
Institutions: | HAL |
Subject: | Impartiality | Justice | Utilitarianism | Egalitarianism | Decision under ignorance |
Saved in:
freely available
Extent: | application/pdf |
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Series: | |
Type of publication: | Book / Working Paper |
Notes: | View the original document on HAL open archive server: http://halshs.archives-ouvertes.fr/halshs-00177374 Published, Social Choice and Welfare, 2008, 31, 2, 193-232 |
Source: |
Persistent link: https://www.econbiz.de/10010750385