Interpersonal comparison of welfare in Harsanyi’s veilof- ignorance model

Authors

  • Afschin Gandjour Pennington Biomedical Research Center,Rice University

Keywords:

Interpersonal comparison, John Harsanyi, veil of ignorance, welfare

Abstract

According to John Harsanyi’s veil-of-ignorance model (1953, 1955) rational observers behind a veil of ignorance seek to maximize the sum of individual utilities. However, Harsanyi’s model is based on the erroneous assumption that the observers’ von Neumann-Morgenstern utility function allows comparing welfare interpersonally. This paper suggests a modification of Harsanyi’s model that allows comparing welfare interpersonally, by using life years in perfect utility or happy life years as a measure of welfare.

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Published

2024-01-12

How to Cite

Gandjour, A. (2024). Interpersonal comparison of welfare in Harsanyi’s veilof- ignorance model. Ética, economía Y Bienes Comunes, 7(1). Retrieved from https://journal.upaep.mx/index.php/EthicsEconomicsandCommonGoods/article/view/187

Issue

Vol. 7 No. 1 (2010)

Section

Essays

License

Creative Commons License

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