Qizilbash, M. (2005) The mere addition paradox, parity and critical-level utilitarianism. Social Choice and Welfare, 24 (3). pp. 413-431. ISSN 0176-1714
Abstract
This paper uses a formal analysis of the relation of ‘parity’ to make sense of a well-known solution to Parfit’s ‘mere addition paradox’. This solution is sometimes dismissed as a recourse to ‘incomparability’. In this analysis, however, the solution is consistent with comparability, as well as transitivity of ‘better than’. The analysis is related to Blackorby, Bossert and Donaldson’s ‘incomplete critical-level generalised utilitarianism’ (ICLGU). ICLGU is inspired by Parfit’s work and can be related to the analysis of parity, though the distinctive ‘mark’ of parity suggests that the boundaries of a set of critical levels is not exact. One has to allow for vagueness to make an account based on parity plausible. These accounts are then contrasted with Broome’s view which also involves vagueness.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of York |
Academic Units: | The University of York > Faculty of Social Sciences (York) > Economics and Related Studies (York) |
Depositing User: | York RAE Import |
Date Deposited: | 12 Feb 2009 11:47 |
Last Modified: | 12 Feb 2009 11:47 |
Published Version: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00355-003-0305-z |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Springer Science + Business Media |
Identification Number: | 10.1007/s00355-003-0305-z |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:7502 |