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Interpersonal comparisons of utility: positive, normative or value-laden?

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  • Eckehard Rosenbaum

Abstract

The paper examines whether interpersonal comparisons of utility have to be interpreted as positive, normative or value-laden. It suggests first that recent arguments advanced by John Davis which appeal to the functional role of utility comparisons neither suffice to characterise utility comparisons as value-laden nor warrant the derivation of specific normative conclusions. An alternative approach is then developed which focuses on the extent to which value judgements are necessary in the course of making utility-comparisons. This approach is then applied to the notion of utility comparisons and to the concept of efficiency. It is argued that value-judgements do not provide a sufficient basis for deriving economic policy recommendations from interpersonal comparisons.

Suggested Citation

  • Eckehard Rosenbaum, 1995. "Interpersonal comparisons of utility: positive, normative or value-laden?," Journal of Economic Methodology, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 2(2), pages 239-258.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:jecmet:v:2:y:1995:i:2:p:239-258
    DOI: 10.1080/13501789500000017
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    Cited by:

    1. Shiri Cohen Kaminitz, 2018. "Happiness Studies and the Problem of Interpersonal Comparisons of Satisfaction: Two Histories, Three Approaches," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 19(2), pages 423-442, February.
    2. Eckehard Rosenbaum & Biagio Ciuffo, 2017. "Sustainability via Intergenerational Transfers in a Stock-Flow-Consistent Model," Metroeconomica, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 68(1), pages 147-184, February.
    3. Eckehard Rosenbaum, 1996. "Value-ladenness in economics: a rejoinder to Davis," Journal of Economic Methodology, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 3(1), pages 127-130.
    4. John Davis, 1996. "Value-ladenness in economics: reply to Rosenbaum," Journal of Economic Methodology, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 3(1), pages 121-125.

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