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More ambiguity aversion or more risk aversion?

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  • Jiankang Zhang

    (Carleton University)

Abstract

Using a pair of preferences $$\succeq ^{\min }$$ ⪰ min and $$\succeq ^{\max }$$ ⪰ max with utility functions $$\min _{s\in S}f\left( s\right) $$ min s ∈ S f s and $$\max _{s\in S}f\left( s\right) $$ max s ∈ S f s over the Ellsberg three color acts, this paper argues that the existing notions of attitudes toward ambiguity either mix ambiguity and risk or still involve attitudes toward risk even though ambiguity is exogenously given. Based on those observations, a new approach to defining attitudes toward ambiguity is suggested. Moreover, some relevant notions such as certainty equivalent for ambiguity and ambiguity premium are also proposed.

Suggested Citation

  • Jiankang Zhang, 2022. "More ambiguity aversion or more risk aversion?," Economic Theory Bulletin, Springer;Society for the Advancement of Economic Theory (SAET), vol. 10(2), pages 217-232, October.
  • Handle: RePEc:spr:etbull:v:10:y:2022:i:2:d:10.1007_s40505-022-00227-1
    DOI: 10.1007/s40505-022-00227-1
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    8. Yaari, Menahem E., 1969. "Some remarks on measures of risk aversion and on their uses," Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, vol. 1(3), pages 315-329, October.
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