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Biology and the Arguments of Utility

Author

Listed:
  • Luis Rayo

    (London School of Economics)

  • Arthur Robson

    (Simon Fraser University)

Abstract

Why did evolution not give us a utility function that is offspring alone" Why do we care intrinsically about other outcomes, food, for example, and what determines the intensity of such preferences" A common view is that such other outcomes enhance fitness and the intensity of our preference for a given outcome is proportional to its contribution to fitness. We argue that this view is inaccurate. Specifically, we show that in the presence of informational imperfections, the evolved preference for a given outcome is determined by the individual's degree of ignorance regarding its significance. Our model sheds light on imitation and prepared learning, whereby some peer attitudes are more influential than others. Testable implications of the model include systematically biased choices in modern times. Most notably, we apply the model to help explain the demographic transition.

Suggested Citation

  • Luis Rayo & Arthur Robson, 2013. "Biology and the Arguments of Utility," Cowles Foundation Discussion Papers 1893R, Cowles Foundation for Research in Economics, Yale University, revised Apr 2014.
    • Handle: RePEc:cwl:cwldpp:1893r
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    File URL: https://cowles.yale.edu/sites/default/files/files/pub/d18/d1893-r.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Chesnais, Jean-Claude, 1992. "The Demographic Transition: Stages, Patterns, and Economic Implications," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780198286592.
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    13. Florian Herold & Nick Netzer, 2010. "Probability Weighting as Evolutionary Second-best," SOI - Working Papers 1005, Socioeconomic Institute - University of Zurich, revised Jan 2011.
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    Citations

    Blog mentions

    As found by EconAcademics.org, the blog aggregator for Economics research:
    1. Why are children not the focus of our preferences?
      by Economic Logician in Economic Logic on 2013-05-27 18:56:00

    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. José F. Tudón M., 2019. "Perception, utility, and evolution," Economic Theory Bulletin, Springer;Society for the Advancement of Economic Theory (SAET), vol. 7(2), pages 191-208, December.
    2. Adriani, Fabrizio & Sonderegger, Silvia, 2020. "Optimal similarity judgments in intertemporal choice (and beyond)," Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, vol. 190(C).
    3. Ricardo Alonso & Isabelle Brocas & Juan D. Carrillo, 2014. "Resource Allocation in the Brain," The Review of Economic Studies, Review of Economic Studies Ltd, vol. 81(2), pages 501-534.
    4. David Jiménez-Gómez, 2018. "The Evolution of Self-Control in the Brain," Working Papers. Serie AD 2018-04, Instituto Valenciano de Investigaciones Económicas, S.A. (Ivie).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Utility; Biological evolution;

    JEL classification:

    • D01 - Microeconomics - - General - - - Microeconomic Behavior: Underlying Principles
    • D80 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - General

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