From Cardinal to Ordinal Utility Theory. Darwin and Differential Capacity for Happiness

摘要: I Lionel Robbins Remembers JUST SIX YEARS AFTER his Essay on the Nature and Significance of Economic Science created a stir in economics with its query about scientific status interpersonal utility comparisons (Robbins [19321 1935: 136-140), remembered how he came to be "provisional" utilitarian: My own attitude problems political action has always been one what might call provisional utilitarianism.... have felt that, as first approximation handling questions relating lives actions large masses people, approach which counts each man one, and, that assumption, asks way lies greatest happiness, is less likely lead astray than any absolute systems. do not believe, never believed, fact men are necessarily equal or should judged such. But believe most cases, calculations treat them if they were morally revolting. (1938: 635) A. C. Pigou's utilitarian analysis, involving "the delicate balancing gain loss," was attractive: (1) It follows, therefore, when study economics, had strongest bias favour analysis. The loss through intricate repercussions policy found such works Economics Welfare, fascinated me; powerfully attracted by proposition, urged so forcefully Edwin Cannan others, recent developments theory value could invoked demonstrate desirability mitigation inequality. When look back frame mind, find it easy understand belief Bentham followers open sesame social policy. 635-636) Then doubts set feasibility calculus: began feel there profound difficulties complete fusion between Edgeworth called economic hedonistic calculus. am clear these suggested themselves; but well remember brought head my reading somewhere--I think Sir Henry Maine--the story an Indian official attempted explain high-caste Brahmin sanctions Benthamite system. "But that," said Brahmin, "cannot possibly right. ten times capable happiness untouchable over there." no sympathy Brahmin. escape conviction chose regard equally satisfaction differing according hierarchical schedule, difference us resolved same methods demonstration available other fields judgment. 636) (2) In this essay, we provide context for Robbins's memory debate transition from cardinal ordinal utility. doing, link egalitarianism hierarchy overarching theme our book (Peart-Levy 2005a), post-Darwinian accounts variations capacity happiness. We begin considering egalitarian utilitarianism J. S. Mill Herbert Spencer, everyone supposed count one. That their phrase. Second, compare Spencer's goal Darwin's "general good." Here, suggest egalitarian, while entailed biological perfection hierarchy. then follow suggestion consider Edgeworth's hedonic calculus notion enters economics. For Edgeworth, agents differential capacities …