On Sense and Preference

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-23
Author(s):  
James Fanciullo

Abstract Determining the precise nature of the connection between preference, choice, and welfare has arguably been the central project in the field of welfare economics, which aims to offer a proper guide for economists in the making of policy decisions that affect people’s welfare. The two leading approaches here historically – the revealed preference and latent preference approaches – seem equally incapable of so guiding economists. I argue that the deadlock here is due to welfare economists’ failure to recognize a crucial distinction between two senses of “preference.” I analyze and defend these senses of “preference,” and argue that each shares a close connection with just one of choice and welfare. This analysis reveals how economists should conceive of both the connections between “preference,” choice, and welfare, and the proper roles of these concepts in welfare economics. I conclude by showing this analysis to best explain the plausibility of two leading alternative approaches from Hausman and Sugden.

2012 ◽  
pp. 32-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Fleurbaey

The second part of the paper is devoted to the non-monetary indicators of social welfare. Various approaches to the study of subjective well-being and happiness are described. The author shows what problems a researcher would encounter trying to analyze welfare on the micro-level and to take account of the cognitive and affective aspects of the individuals assessment of their well-being, as well as the relevance of social relations. The author also shows to what extent the alternative approaches, particularly the analysis of functionings and capabilities advanced by A. Sen are compatible to the modern welfare economics and what prospects the latter has.


1996 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 52-56
Author(s):  
Lyle P. Schertz

AbstractAgricultural economists are appropriately concerned about their profession's contributions to policy decisions. An examination of alternative approaches to transforming policy analyses is in order. There are opportunities to (a) focus on income and wealth distribution, (b) give attention to the public as a primary client, (c) avoid advocacy, and (d) adjust institutions in ways that encourage participation in policy analyses including the development of data systems.


1971 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Max R. Langham

In the 1960's, we developed a strong public conscience about the environment. The 1970's will reveal a great deal about our ability to better understand and manage the environment in socially acceptable ways. This task will require both theories and measurement techniques to empirically verify them. A welfare theory (based largely on Paretian welfare economics) states that we can say one system is preferable to another if the system makes at least one person better off and no one worse off. Most alternative systems in the real world, including those available to resolve pollution conflicts, do not meet this criterion. A change in the system normally makes someone worse off. Thus, Paretian, or the “new,” welfare economics, is not really useful in making most policy decisions. The problem is compounded, because often we do not know how to measure the real effects of pollution on parties involved in and influenced by pollution. This later problem is aggravated by the fact that we have done very little to systematically record observations on pollution processes.


Author(s):  
W. Bernard

In comparison to many other fields of ultrastructural research in Cell Biology, the successful exploration of genes and gene activity with the electron microscope in higher organisms is a late conquest. Nucleic acid molecules of Prokaryotes could be successfully visualized already since the early sixties, thanks to the Kleinschmidt spreading technique - and much basic information was obtained concerning the shape, length, molecular weight of viral, mitochondrial and chloroplast nucleic acid. Later, additonal methods revealed denaturation profiles, distinction between single and double strandedness and the use of heteroduplexes-led to gene mapping of relatively simple systems carried out in close connection with other methods of molecular genetics.


Author(s):  
J.M. Cowley

By extrapolation of past experience, it would seem that the future of ultra-high resolution electron microscopy rests with the advances of electron optical engineering that are improving the instrumental stability of high voltage microscopes to achieve the theoretical resolutions of 1Å or better at 1MeV or higher energies. While these high voltage instruments will undoubtedly produce valuable results on chosen specimens, their general applicability has been questioned on the basis of the excessive radiation damage effects which may significantly modify the detailed structures of crystal defects within even the most radiation resistant materials in a period of a few seconds. Other considerations such as those of cost and convenience of use add to the inducement to consider seriously the possibilities for alternative approaches to the achievement of comparable resolutions.


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