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Variational representation of preferences under ambiguity

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  • Fabio Maccheroni
  • Massimo Marinacci
  • Aldo Rustichini

Abstract

In the classic Anscombe and Aumann decision setting, we give necessary and sufficient conditions that guarantee the existence of a utility function u on outcomes and an ambiguity index c on the set of all probabilities on the states of the world such that acts are ranked according to the criterion V(f)=min{E(u(f),p)+c(p)} where p ranges over all probability distributions and c is a non-negative convex funcion on the set of all probability distributions. The preferences we characterize include as special cases the multiple priors preferences of Gilboa and Schmeidler, the multiplier preferences of Hansen and Sargent, and the mean-variance preferences of Markowitz and Tobin. In this way we are able to provide a rigorous ambiguity perspective on the latter two models, which have been widely used in macroeconomics and finance.

Suggested Citation

  • Fabio Maccheroni & Massimo Marinacci & Aldo Rustichini, 2004. "Variational representation of preferences under ambiguity," ICER Working Papers - Applied Mathematics Series 05-2004, ICER - International Centre for Economic Research.
    • Handle: RePEc:icr:wpmath:05-2004
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lars Peter Hansen & Thomas J Sargent, 2014. "Robust Control and Model Uncertainty," World Scientific Book Chapters, in: UNCERTAINTY WITHIN ECONOMIC MODELS, chapter 5, pages 145-154, World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd..
    2. Ghirardato, Paolo & Marinacci, Massimo, 2002. "Ambiguity Made Precise: A Comparative Foundation," Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, vol. 102(2), pages 251-289, February.
    3. Gilboa, Itzhak & Schmeidler, David, 1989. "Maxmin expected utility with non-unique prior," Journal of Mathematical Economics, Elsevier, vol. 18(2), pages 141-153, April.
    4. Alain Chateauneuf & Fabio Maccheroni & Massimo Marinacci & Jean-Marc Tallon, 2005. "Monotone continuous multiple priors," Economic Theory, Springer;Society for the Advancement of Economic Theory (SAET), vol. 26(4), pages 973-982, November.
    5. Larry G. Epstein, 1999. "A Definition of Uncertainty Aversion," The Review of Economic Studies, Review of Economic Studies Ltd, vol. 66(3), pages 579-608.
    6. Schmeidler, David, 1989. "Subjective Probability and Expected Utility without Additivity," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 57(3), pages 571-587, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Ozbek, Kemal, 2023. "Adaptive risk assessments," Journal of Mathematical Economics, Elsevier, vol. 106(C).
    2. Maccheroni, Fabio & Marinacci, Massimo & Rustichini, Aldo, 2006. "Dynamic variational preferences," Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, vol. 128(1), pages 4-44, May.
    3. Nascimento, Leandro & Riella, Gil, 2011. "A class of incomplete and ambiguity averse preferences," Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, vol. 146(2), pages 728-750, March.
    4. Gumen, Anna & Savochkin, Andrei, 2013. "Dynamically stable preferences," Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, vol. 148(4), pages 1487-1508.
    5. Antonio Lijoi & Igor Prünster & Stephen G. Walker, 2004. "On consistency of nonparametric normal mixtures for Bayesian density estimation," ICER Working Papers - Applied Mathematics Series 23-2004, ICER - International Centre for Economic Research.
    6. Antonio Lijoi & Igor Prünster & Stephen G. Walker, 2004. "On rates of convergence for posterior distributions in infinite–dimensional models," ICER Working Papers - Applied Mathematics Series 24-2004, ICER - International Centre for Economic Research.
    7. Mihm, Maximilian & Ozbek, Kemal, 2018. "Mood-driven choices and self-regulation," Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, vol. 176(C), pages 727-760.
    8. Antonio Lijoi & Igor Prünster & Stephen G. Walker, 2004. "Contributions to the understanding of Bayesian consistency," ICER Working Papers - Applied Mathematics Series 13-2004, ICER - International Centre for Economic Research.
    9. Kasper Larsen & Gordan Zitkovic, 2007. "Stability of utility-maximization in incomplete markets," Papers 0706.0474, arXiv.org.

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