Decision, Probability and Utility

Decision, Probability and Utility

Author: Peter Gärdenfors

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 1988-04-29

Total Pages: 464

ISBN-13: 9780521336581

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Decision theory and the theory of rational choice have recently been the subjects of considerable research by philosophers and economists. However, no adequate anthology exists which can be used to introduce students to the field. This volume is designed to meet that need. The essays included are organized into five parts covering the foundations of decision theory, the conceptualization of probability and utility, pholosophical difficulties with the rules of rationality and with the assessment of probability, and causal decision theory. The editors provide an extensive introduction to the field and introductions to each part.


Book Synopsis Decision, Probability and Utility by : Peter Gärdenfors

Download or read book Decision, Probability and Utility written by Peter Gärdenfors and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 1988-04-29 with total page 464 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Decision theory and the theory of rational choice have recently been the subjects of considerable research by philosophers and economists. However, no adequate anthology exists which can be used to introduce students to the field. This volume is designed to meet that need. The essays included are organized into five parts covering the foundations of decision theory, the conceptualization of probability and utility, pholosophical difficulties with the rules of rationality and with the assessment of probability, and causal decision theory. The editors provide an extensive introduction to the field and introductions to each part.

Introduction to Statistical Decision Theory

Introduction to Statistical Decision Theory

Author: Silvia Bacci

Publisher: CRC Press

Published: 2019-07-11

Total Pages: 217

ISBN-13: 1351621386

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Introduction to Statistical Decision Theory: Utility Theory and Causal Analysis provides the theoretical background to approach decision theory from a statistical perspective. It covers both traditional approaches, in terms of value theory and expected utility theory, and recent developments, in terms of causal inference. The book is specifically designed to appeal to students and researchers that intend to acquire a knowledge of statistical science based on decision theory. Features Covers approaches for making decisions under certainty, risk, and uncertainty Illustrates expected utility theory and its extensions Describes approaches to elicit the utility function Reviews classical and Bayesian approaches to statistical inference based on decision theory Discusses the role of causal analysis in statistical decision theory


Book Synopsis Introduction to Statistical Decision Theory by : Silvia Bacci

Download or read book Introduction to Statistical Decision Theory written by Silvia Bacci and published by CRC Press. This book was released on 2019-07-11 with total page 217 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Introduction to Statistical Decision Theory: Utility Theory and Causal Analysis provides the theoretical background to approach decision theory from a statistical perspective. It covers both traditional approaches, in terms of value theory and expected utility theory, and recent developments, in terms of causal inference. The book is specifically designed to appeal to students and researchers that intend to acquire a knowledge of statistical science based on decision theory. Features Covers approaches for making decisions under certainty, risk, and uncertainty Illustrates expected utility theory and its extensions Describes approaches to elicit the utility function Reviews classical and Bayesian approaches to statistical inference based on decision theory Discusses the role of causal analysis in statistical decision theory

Utility and Probability

Utility and Probability

Author: John Eatwell

Publisher: Springer

Published: 1990-02-23

Total Pages: 330

ISBN-13: 1349205680

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This is an excerpt from the 4-volume dictionary of economics, a reference book which aims to define the subject of economics today. 1300 subject entries in the complete work cover the broad themes of economic theory. This extract concentrates on utility and probability.


Book Synopsis Utility and Probability by : John Eatwell

Download or read book Utility and Probability written by John Eatwell and published by Springer. This book was released on 1990-02-23 with total page 330 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This is an excerpt from the 4-volume dictionary of economics, a reference book which aims to define the subject of economics today. 1300 subject entries in the complete work cover the broad themes of economic theory. This extract concentrates on utility and probability.

Utility, Probability, and Human Decision Making

Utility, Probability, and Human Decision Making

Author: D. Wendt

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2012-12-06

Total Pages: 408

ISBN-13: 9401018340

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Human decision making involves problems which are being studied with increasing interest and sophistication. They range from controversial political decisions via individual consumer decisions to such simple tasks as signal discriminations. Although it would seem that decisions have to do with choices among available actions of any kind, there is general agreement that decision making research should pertain to choice prob lems which cannot be solved without a predecisional stage of finding choice alternatives, weighing evidence, and judging values. The ultimate objective of scientific research on decision making is two-fold: (a) to develop a theoretically sound technology for the optimal solution of decision problems, and (b) to formulate a descriptive theory of human decision making. The latter may, in tum, protect decision makers from being caught in the traps of their own limitations and biases. Recently, in decision making research the strong emphasis on well defined laboratory tasks is decreasing in favour of more realistic studies in various practical settings. This may well have been caused by a growing awareness of the fact that decision-behaviour is strongly determined by situational factors, which makes it necessary to look into processes of interaction between the decision maker and the relevant task environ ment. Almost inevitably there is a parallel shift of interest towards problems of utility measurement and the evaluation of consequences.


Book Synopsis Utility, Probability, and Human Decision Making by : D. Wendt

Download or read book Utility, Probability, and Human Decision Making written by D. Wendt and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2012-12-06 with total page 408 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Human decision making involves problems which are being studied with increasing interest and sophistication. They range from controversial political decisions via individual consumer decisions to such simple tasks as signal discriminations. Although it would seem that decisions have to do with choices among available actions of any kind, there is general agreement that decision making research should pertain to choice prob lems which cannot be solved without a predecisional stage of finding choice alternatives, weighing evidence, and judging values. The ultimate objective of scientific research on decision making is two-fold: (a) to develop a theoretically sound technology for the optimal solution of decision problems, and (b) to formulate a descriptive theory of human decision making. The latter may, in tum, protect decision makers from being caught in the traps of their own limitations and biases. Recently, in decision making research the strong emphasis on well defined laboratory tasks is decreasing in favour of more realistic studies in various practical settings. This may well have been caused by a growing awareness of the fact that decision-behaviour is strongly determined by situational factors, which makes it necessary to look into processes of interaction between the decision maker and the relevant task environ ment. Almost inevitably there is a parallel shift of interest towards problems of utility measurement and the evaluation of consequences.

Utility Theory for Decision Making

Utility Theory for Decision Making

Author: Peter C. Fishburn

Publisher: Huntington, N.Y. : R. E. Krieger Publishing Company

Published: 1979-01-01

Total Pages: 234

ISBN-13: 9780882757360

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Book Synopsis Utility Theory for Decision Making by : Peter C. Fishburn

Download or read book Utility Theory for Decision Making written by Peter C. Fishburn and published by Huntington, N.Y. : R. E. Krieger Publishing Company. This book was released on 1979-01-01 with total page 234 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Rational Choice Using Imprecise Probabilities and Utilities

Rational Choice Using Imprecise Probabilities and Utilities

Author: Paul Weirich

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2021-02-25

Total Pages: 139

ISBN-13: 1108604781

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An agent often does not have precise probabilities or utilities to guide resolution of a decision problem. I advance a principle of rationality for making decisions in such cases. To begin, I represent the doxastic and conative state of an agent with a set of pairs of a probability assignment and a utility assignment. Then I support a decision principle that allows any act that maximizes expected utility according to some pair of assignments in the set. Assuming that computation of an option's expected utility uses comprehensive possible outcomes that include the option's risk, no consideration supports a stricter requirement.


Book Synopsis Rational Choice Using Imprecise Probabilities and Utilities by : Paul Weirich

Download or read book Rational Choice Using Imprecise Probabilities and Utilities written by Paul Weirich and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 2021-02-25 with total page 139 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: An agent often does not have precise probabilities or utilities to guide resolution of a decision problem. I advance a principle of rationality for making decisions in such cases. To begin, I represent the doxastic and conative state of an agent with a set of pairs of a probability assignment and a utility assignment. Then I support a decision principle that allows any act that maximizes expected utility according to some pair of assignments in the set. Assuming that computation of an option's expected utility uses comprehensive possible outcomes that include the option's risk, no consideration supports a stricter requirement.

The New Palgrave

The New Palgrave

Author: John Eatwell

Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company

Published: 1990

Total Pages: 340

ISBN-13: 9780393027389

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Each volume in this series includes a collection of authoritative essays from the New Palgrave: A Dictionary of Economics, selected by the Editors to illustrate the range and diversity of economic thought on a particular topic.


Book Synopsis The New Palgrave by : John Eatwell

Download or read book The New Palgrave written by John Eatwell and published by W. W. Norton & Company. This book was released on 1990 with total page 340 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Each volume in this series includes a collection of authoritative essays from the New Palgrave: A Dictionary of Economics, selected by the Editors to illustrate the range and diversity of economic thought on a particular topic.

Choices

Choices

Author: Michael D. Resnik

Publisher: U of Minnesota Press

Published: 1987

Total Pages: 244

ISBN-13: 9781452902289

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Book Synopsis Choices by : Michael D. Resnik

Download or read book Choices written by Michael D. Resnik and published by U of Minnesota Press. This book was released on 1987 with total page 244 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

The Foundations of Causal Decision Theory

The Foundations of Causal Decision Theory

Author: James M. Joyce

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 1999-04-13

Total Pages: 281

ISBN-13: 1139471384

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This book defends the view that any adequate account of rational decision making must take a decision maker's beliefs about causal relations into account. The early chapters of the book introduce the non-specialist to the rudiments of expected utility theory. The major technical advance offered by the book is a 'representation theorem' that shows that both causal decision theory and its main rival, Richard Jeffrey's logic of decision, are both instances of a more general conditional decision theory. The book solves a long-standing problem for Jeffrey's theory by showing for the first time how to obtain a unique utility and probability representation for preferences and judgements of comparative likelihood. The book also contains a major new discussion of what it means to suppose that some event occurs or that some proposition is true. The most complete and robust defence of causal decision theory available.


Book Synopsis The Foundations of Causal Decision Theory by : James M. Joyce

Download or read book The Foundations of Causal Decision Theory written by James M. Joyce and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 1999-04-13 with total page 281 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book defends the view that any adequate account of rational decision making must take a decision maker's beliefs about causal relations into account. The early chapters of the book introduce the non-specialist to the rudiments of expected utility theory. The major technical advance offered by the book is a 'representation theorem' that shows that both causal decision theory and its main rival, Richard Jeffrey's logic of decision, are both instances of a more general conditional decision theory. The book solves a long-standing problem for Jeffrey's theory by showing for the first time how to obtain a unique utility and probability representation for preferences and judgements of comparative likelihood. The book also contains a major new discussion of what it means to suppose that some event occurs or that some proposition is true. The most complete and robust defence of causal decision theory available.

Decision Space

Decision Space

Author: Paul Weirich

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2001-08-27

Total Pages: 288

ISBN-13: 1139430416

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In Decision Space: Multidimensional Utility Analysis, first published in 2001, Paul Weirich increases the power and versatility of utility analysis and in the process advances decision theory. Combining traditional and novel methods of option evaluation into one systematic method of analysis, multidimensional utility analysis is a valuable tool. It provides formulations of important decision principles, such as the principle to maximize expected utility; enriches decision theory in solving recalcitrant decision problems; and provides in particular for the cases in which an expert must make a decision for a group of people. The multiple dimensions of this analysis create a decision space broad enough to accommodate all factors affecting an option's utility. The book will be of interest to advanced students and professionals working in the subject of decision theory, as well as to economists and other social scientists.


Book Synopsis Decision Space by : Paul Weirich

Download or read book Decision Space written by Paul Weirich and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 2001-08-27 with total page 288 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In Decision Space: Multidimensional Utility Analysis, first published in 2001, Paul Weirich increases the power and versatility of utility analysis and in the process advances decision theory. Combining traditional and novel methods of option evaluation into one systematic method of analysis, multidimensional utility analysis is a valuable tool. It provides formulations of important decision principles, such as the principle to maximize expected utility; enriches decision theory in solving recalcitrant decision problems; and provides in particular for the cases in which an expert must make a decision for a group of people. The multiple dimensions of this analysis create a decision space broad enough to accommodate all factors affecting an option's utility. The book will be of interest to advanced students and professionals working in the subject of decision theory, as well as to economists and other social scientists.