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URN to cite this document: urn:nbn:de:bvb:703-epub-9432-4
Title data
Thoma, Johanna:
The precision fallacy : On the futility of preference purification.
In: Studies in History and Philosophy of Science.
Vol. 117
(2026)
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- 102131.
ISSN 1879-2510
DOI der Verlagsversion: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.shpsa.2026.102131
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Abstract
The standard theory of choice in economics involves modelling human agents as if they had precise attitudes when in fact they are often fuzzy. For the normative purposes of welfare economics, it might be thought that the imposition of a precise framework is nevertheless well justified: If we think the standard theory is normatively correct, and therefore that agents ought to be in this sense precise, then doesn’t it follow that their true welfare can be measured precisely? I will argue that this thought, central to the preference purification project in behavioural welfare economics, commits a fallacy. The standard theory requires agents to adopt precise preferences; but neither the theory nor a fuzzy agent’s initial attitudes may determine a particular way in which she ought to precisify them. So before actually having precisified her preferences, the welfare of fuzzy agents may remain indeterminate. I go on to consider the implications of this fallacy for welfare economics.
Further data
| Item Type: | Article in a journal |
|---|---|
| Keywords: | Welfare economics; Expected utility theory; Behavioural economics; Precision; Vagueness; Preference purification |
| DDC Subjects: | 100 Philosophy and psychology > 100 Philosophy |
| Institutions of the University: | Faculties > Faculty of Cultural Studies > Department of Philosophy > Chair Ethics > Chair Ethics - Univ.-Prof. Dr. Johanna Thoma Faculties Faculties > Faculty of Cultural Studies Faculties > Faculty of Cultural Studies > Department of Philosophy Faculties > Faculty of Cultural Studies > Department of Philosophy > Chair Ethics |
| Language: | English |
| Originates at UBT: | Yes |
| URN: | urn:nbn:de:bvb:703-epub-9432-4 |
| Date Deposited: | 16 Jun 2026 13:31 |
| Last Modified: | 16 Jun 2026 13:31 |
| URI: | https://epub.uni-bayreuth.de/id/eprint/9432 |
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