Interpersonal dependency of preferences

Standard decision theoretic models disregard the phenomenon of interpersonal dependency of preferences. In this paper it is argued that interpersonal dependency of preferences is a serious challenge for standard utility theory. First we sketch the more philosophical aspects of the problem and then, using a simple, formal model for the two-person case, we show that interpersonal dependency of preferences generally results in indeterminacy of preferences (resp. of subjective utility).     

Any complete preference structure without circuit admits an interval representation

This article proves that all complete preference structures where the strict preference relation (P) has no circuit admit a representation by intervals of the real line; the rule for deciding whether an interval is indifferent or preferred to another is less straightforward than for interval orders: strict preference is indeed compatible with a certain degree of overlapping of intervals, the allowed degree being specified by means of a so-called tolerance function.     

Three pseudo-paradoxes in ‘quantum’ decision theory: Apparent effects of observation on probability and utility

In quantum domains, the measurement (or observation) of one of a pair of complementary variables introduces an unavoidable uncertainty in the value of that variable's complement. Such uncertainties are negligible in Newtonian worlds, where observations can be made without appreciably disturbing the observed system. Hence, one would not expect that an observation of a non-quantum probabilistic outcome could affect a probability distribution over subsequently possible states, in a way that would conflict with classical probability calculations. This paper examines three problems in which observations appear to affect the probabilities and expected utilities of subsequent outcomes, in ways which may appear paradoxical. Deeper analysis of these problems reveals that the anomalies arise, not from paradox, but rather from faulty inferences drawn from the observations themselves. Thus the notion of quantum decision theory is disparaged.     

网络时代农产品质量安全事件风险放大机制研究——基于价值累加理论的扎根分析

随着互联网的飞速发展,农产品质量安全事件借助网络媒体持续关联与聚合、发酵与扩散,极大地影响着公众的情感和态度,易引发集体非理性恐慌,网络时代信息扩散和迭代呈现全新特征和趋势,故加强农产品质量安全事件风险放大机制研究具有重要意义。基于斯梅尔塞的价值累加理论,结合“土坑酸菜”事件,利用Python技术获取媒体原始资料,对资料进行扎根编码分析,构建农产品质量安全事件风险放大机制模型。根据编码结果识别出农产品质量安全事件风险放大六大主范畴,包括结构性诱因、结构性紧张、一般化信念、(有效的)组织动员、社会控制、风险放大,将主范畴内容纳入价值累加理论六大因素中,分析表明农产品质量安全事件风险放大是以突发事件为分界点,分为前期蓄势、中期造势、紧急处理三个阶段,前期蓄势和中期造势阶段通过多轮循环相互反馈影响,最终放大农产品质量安全事件风险。在整个风险扩散过程中,网络是农产品质量安全事件风险的“社会放大站”,其加速了信息传播,强化了公众风险感知。本研究运用价值累加理论、基于宏观和微观整合层面,细化探究了网络时代农产品质量安全事件风险放大的完整过程机制,进一步完善了风险放大SARF研究框架,为相关研究做了有益补充。     

A global meaning of supply chain social sustainability

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to help reduce tensions in supply chain social sustainability (SCSS) decisions by providing a common global, contextual definition of social sustainability. This exploratory study utilised an inductive structured interview method to capture SCSS concept meanings. Those interviewed are from, have lived, and worked in developed economies, emerging economies and the base of the pyramid (BOP) economies. The results present a new global baseline definition of SCSS to inform theory and practice by finding that SCSS meanings differ not only between the different levels of economic development, but also within the levels as well. Culture, community and whether basic human needs are met all weigh into perspectives of what this concept is and should entail; a broad, contingent definition is most appropriate moving forward for sustainability planning and execution. Further research with stakeholders in more countries and communities is needed to validate our proposal.     

Reconciliation with the Utility of Chance by Elaborated Outcomes Destroys the Axiomatic Basis of Expected Utility Theory

Expected utility theory does not directly deal with the utility of chance. It has been suggested in the literature (Samuelson, 1952, Markowitz, 1959) that this can be remedied by an approach which explicitly models the emotional consequences which give rise to the utility of chance. We refer to this as the elaborated outcomes approach. It is argued that the elaborated outcomes approach destroys the possibility of deriving a representation theorem based on the usual axioms of expected utility theory. This is shown with the help of an example due to Markowitz. It turns out that the space of conceivable lotteries over elaborated outcomes is too narrow to permit the application of the axioms. Moreover it is shown that a representation theorem does not hold for the example.     

人性与经济道德的离散——中国经济改革速度缓慢的一个原因

本文回首中国20年的经济改革,认为改革速度较慢的原因之一是人性与经济道德在认识上和行为中的模糊性所致。作者在定义了人性、道德、灵魂等一些基本概念之后,针对中国经济改革的两种选择(价格、所有制)的归宿进行评述,从而找出速度较慢的一方面原因。文中对儒家道德进行了说理的评说,意在对经济学哲学研究起到向前推动的作用。     

"人力资本论"中的劳工迁移观分析

二战结束后,随着美国科技革命的展开和经济结构中服务业的崛起,美国从20世纪50年代开始出现了经济繁荣和社会失业率并行攀升的趋势。对此,以西奥德.舒尔茨为代表的经济学家通过实践和潜心研究,提出了颇有影响的人力资本论,其中关于劳工迁移的精辟论述具有很强的历史和现实性价值,但是,其中的局限性也十分突出,尤其是强调区域工资差异的论述似有以偏概全之嫌。无论是在理论上,还是近现代史上的跨国移民以及二战后美国以劳工为核心的人口流动,都证明了该理论中的局限性。     

皮亚杰的道德责任发生论及其教育意蕴

皮亚杰首次利用实验方法,从个体心理发展的微观角度,揭示了儿童的道德责任的发生过程和机制。道德责任是个体社会化的产物,经历了由他律的客观责任向自律的主观责任的进化。真正的道德责任产生于协作。皮亚杰的道德责任发生论对道德教育理论与实践的启示是:道德教育必须以自由为基础,充分利用学生的自主活动,才能教会学生负责。     

从动态顺应看《李尔王》的三种译本

Jef Verschueren的语用综论观下的顺应论的动态性认为,语言选择过程的动态顺应可以从三个方面得到体现:时间顺应、语境的顺应和语言线性结构的灵活变化。以该理论对《李尔王》三个不同时期的译本进行分析,指出翻译标准应该被不断地重新阐释以顺应不同时间、不同语境和不同交际目的。