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Diminishing Marginal Utility in Economics Textbooks

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  • Timothy Dittmer

Abstract

Many introductory microeconomics textbook authors derive the law of demand from the assumption of diminishing marginal utility. Authors of intermediate and graduate textbooks derive demand from diminishing marginal rate of substitution and ordinal preferences. These approaches are not interchangeable; diminishing marginal utility for all goods is neither a necessary nor sufficient condition for diminishing marginal rate of substitution, and the assumption of diminishing marginal utility is inconsistent with the assumption of ordinal preferences. In this article, the author argues that demand curves should not be derived from diminishing marginal utility in introductory textbooks and suggests that introductory text authors begin their treatment of demand with diminishing marginal value.

Suggested Citation

  • Timothy Dittmer, 2005. "Diminishing Marginal Utility in Economics Textbooks," The Journal of Economic Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 36(4), pages 391-399, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:jeduce:v:36:y:2005:i:4:p:391-399
    DOI: 10.3200/JECE.36.4.391-399
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    Cited by:

    1. Jane E. Ihrig & Scott A. Wolla, 2020. "Let's Close the Gap: Revising Teaching Materials to Reflect How the Federal Reserve Implements Monetary Policy," Finance and Economics Discussion Series 2020-092, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (U.S.).
    2. Todorova, Tamara, 2020. "Diminishing marginal utility and the teaching of economics: A note," EconStor Preprints 222942, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics.
    3. Alvino, Letizia & Constantinides, Efthymios & Franco, Massimo, 2018. "Towards a better understanding of consumer behavior : Marginal utility as a parameter in neuromarketing research," Other publications TiSEM b3e61951-9032-4cb4-b075-1, Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management.
    4. Letizia Alvino & Efthymios Constantinides & Massimo Franco, 2018. "Towards a Better Understanding of Consumer Behavior: Marginal Utility as a Parameter in Neuromarketing Research," International Journal of Marketing Studies, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 10(1), pages 90-106, March.

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