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arXiv · 2608.25043

Interpersonally Comparable Utility

Peter Caradonna·Zachary Raines
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Abstract

We develop a theory of measurement scales for utility functions, based on a generalization of the notion of numeraire commodity. Every sufficiently well-behaved utility is denominated in some scale of this form, and conversely, the choice of a compatible scale unit uniquely identifies utilities up to an additive constant. We define a profile of utilities to be interpersonally comparable precisely when they are denominated in a common measurement unit. We study when profiles of comparable utilities exist, as well as how a planner ought to aggregate them, and provide applications to social choice and welfare economics.

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Peter Caradonna, Zachary Raines. 2026-08-25. Interpersonally Comparable Utility. https://arxiv.org/abs/2608.25043

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