Utility representation of an incomplete preference relation

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Ok, EA
• 署名单位: New York University
• 刊物名称: JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC THEORY
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0022-0531
• DOI: 10.1006/jeth.2001.2814
• 发表日期: 2002
• 页码: 429-449
• 关键词: incomplete preference relations; utility representation; partial orders

摘要

We consider the problem of representing a (possibly) incomplete preference relation by means of a vector-valued utility function. Continuous and semicontinuous representation results are reported in the case of preference relations that are, in a sense, not too incomplete. These results generalize some of the classical utility representation theorems of the theory of individual choice and paves the way towards developing a consumer theory that realistically allows individuals to exhibit some indecisiveness on occasion. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science (USA).