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A Reformulation of Normative Economics for Models with Endogenous Preferences

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Listed:
  • Vipul Bhatt

    (James Madison University)

  • Masao Ogaki

    (Keio University)

  • Yuichi Yaguchi

    (Chuo University)

Abstract

This paper proposes a framework to balance considerations of welfarism and virtue ethics in the normative analysis of economic models with endogenous preferences. We introduce the moral evaluation function (MEF), which ranks alternatives based purely on virtue ethics, and define the social objective function (SOF), which combines the Social Welfare Function (SWF) and the MEF. In a model of intergenerational altruism with endogenous time preference, using numerical simulations we show that maximizing the SWF may not yield a socially desirable state if the society values virtue. This problem can be resolved by using the SOF to evaluate alternative social states.

Suggested Citation

  • Vipul Bhatt & Masao Ogaki & Yuichi Yaguchi, 2015. "A Reformulation of Normative Economics for Models with Endogenous Preferences," UTokyo Price Project Working Paper Series 049, University of Tokyo, Graduate School of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:upd:utppwp:049
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Hideo Akabayashi & Akiko Kamesaka & Ryosuke Nakamura & Masao Ogaki & Teruyuki Tamura, 2014. "An Experimental Study of Intergenerational Altruism with Parent-Child Pairs," Keio-IES Discussion Paper Series 2014-005, Institute for Economics Studies, Keio University.
    2. Vipul Bhatt & Masao Ogaki & Yuichi Yaguchi, 2015. "Normative Behavioural Economics Based on Unconditional Love and Moral Virtue," The Japanese Economic Review, Japanese Economic Association, vol. 66(2), pages 226-246, June.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D03 - Microeconomics - - General - - - Behavioral Microeconomics: Underlying Principles
    • Z18 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Public Policy

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