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The Necessity of Interpersonal Cardinal Utility

In: Efficiency, Equality and Public Policy

Author

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  • Yew-Kwang Ng

    (Monash University)

Abstract

Suppose you are a parent having to make certain decisions affecting the well-being of the whole family. Assume that no one else (including animals) other than your family members will be affected by your decisions. You do not hate any of the members and you care about all members. Thus, you believe that your decisions should depend on their (including your own, being a family member yourself) utilities. You also agree that if any one member is made better off with no member made worse off, it is a better situation. In other words, you accept the Pareto principle. This is sufficient for our presupposition. Some readers may object that the Pareto principle may not be sufficient here because, for example, one may want one’s children to have the right moral principles and training, and be willing to sacrifice the utility of some members in exchange. In my view, this is due to the favourable effects of the right principles and training on one’s future well-being and/or on that of other individuals. I believe most parents accept this. Either including such favourable effects in the calculation or abstracting from these complications here, the Pareto principle should be acceptable to most people. In any case, this issue is discussed in Chapter 3.

Suggested Citation

  • Yew-Kwang Ng, 2000. "The Necessity of Interpersonal Cardinal Utility," Palgrave Macmillan Books, in: Efficiency, Equality and Public Policy, chapter 2, pages 15-23, Palgrave Macmillan.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:palchp:978-0-333-99277-7_2
    DOI: 10.1057/9780333992777_2
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