Presentation at the HLEG thematic workshop on "Intra-generational and Inter-generational Sustainability", 22-23 September 2014, Rome, Italy, http://oe.cd/StrategicForum2014
NLP Data Science Project Presentation:Predicting Heart Disease with NLP Data ...
HLEG thematic workshop on "Intra-generational and Inter-generational Sustainability", Geir Asheim
1. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Conclusion
References
Two questions on sustainability
Geir B. Asheim
Department of Economics, University of Oslo
Joint IEA/ISI Strategic Forum 2014 and
Workshop of the High-Level Expert Group
on the Measurement of Economic Performance and Social Progress
on Intra-generational and Inter-generational Sustainability
Roma, 22-23 September 2014
2. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Conclusion
References
The questions
3. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Conclusion
References
The questions
Q1 What is sustainability?
4. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Conclusion
References
The questions
Q1 What is sustainability?
Q2 Is sustainability good?
5. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Conclusion
References
Location in time and space
6. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Conclusion
References
Location in time and space
space
(intragen.
distr.)
time
(intergen.
distr.)
7. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Conclusion
References
Location in time and space
space
(intragen.
distr.)
location
time
(intergen.
distr.)
8. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Conclusion
References
Location in time and space
Assume that each location is inhabited by a dierent individual
space
(intragen.
distr.)
location
time
(intergen.
distr.)
9. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Conclusion
References
Location in time and space
Assume that each location is inhabited by a dierent individual
! Intergenerational perspective (time period: a generation)
space
(intragen.
distr.)
location
time
(intergen.
distr.)
10. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Conclusion
References
Uncertain states
11. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Conclusion
References
Uncertain states
states
location
12. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Conclusion
References
Uncertain states
Assume that each pair of location and resolved subset of
uncertain states is inhabited by a dierent individual
states
location
13. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Conclusion
References
Uncertain states
Assume that each pair of location and resolved subset of
uncertain states is inhabited by a dierent individual
! No individual is subjected to risk/uncertainty
states
location
14. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Conclusion
References
The questions
Q1 What is sustainability?
Q2 Is sustainability good?
15. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Conclusion
References
The questions
Q1 What is sustainability?
Inequality along time only (intergenerational equity)
Q2 Is sustainability good?
16. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Conclusion
References
The questions
Q1 What is sustainability?
Inequality along time only (intergenerational equity)
Inequality along time and across space only
(inter- and intragenerational equity / no uncertainty)
Q2 Is sustainability good?
17. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Conclusion
References
The questions
Q1 What is sustainability?
Inequality along time only (intergenerational equity)
Inequality along time and across space only
(inter- and intragenerational equity / no uncertainty)
Inequality along time, across space and over states
(inter- and intragenerational equity + uncertainty)
Q2 Is sustainability good?
18. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Conclusion
References
The questions
Q1 What is sustainability?
Inequality along time only (intergenerational equity)
Inequality along time and across space only
(inter- and intragenerational equity / no uncertainty)
Inequality along time, across space and over states
(inter- and intragenerational equity + uncertainty)
Inequality along time, across space and over states
but not all location-state pairs are inhabited
(endogenous population + positive prob. of extinction)
Q2 Is sustainability good?
19. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Conclusion
References
The questions
Q1 What is sustainability?
Inequality along time only (intergenerational equity)
Inequality along time and across space only
(inter- and intragenerational equity / no uncertainty)
Inequality along time, across space and over states
(inter- and intragenerational equity + uncertainty)
Inequality along time, across space and over states
but not all location-state pairs are inhabited
(endogenous population + positive prob. of extinction)
Q2 Is sustainability good?
Better to base goodness on social choice theory
than attempt to extend sustainability as a primitive notion
20. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Inequality
along time
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Conclusion
References
Question 1: What is sustainability?
21. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Inequality
along time
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Conclusion
References
Intergenerational equity
22. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Inequality
along time
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Conclusion
References
Intergenerational equity
De
24. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Inequality
along time
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Conclusion
References
Intergenerational equity
De
25. nitions of sustainability
A The present generation behaves in a sustainable manner if
its wellbeing level can be the
28. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Inequality
along time
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Conclusion
References
Intergenerational equity
De
29. nitions of sustainability
A The present generation behaves in a sustainable manner if
its wellbeing level can be the
31. es techn. institut. constraints.
A1 The present generation behaves in a sustainable manner if
the next generation can attain at least the same wellbeing
level even if it behaves in a sustainable manner.
32. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Inequality
along time
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Conclusion
References
Intergenerational equity
De
33. nitions of sustainability
A The present generation behaves in a sustainable manner if
its wellbeing level can be the
35. es techn. institut. constraints.
A1 The present generation behaves in a sustainable manner if
the next generation can attain at least the same wellbeing
level even if it behaves in a sustainable manner.
The stream is sustainable if all generations behave in a
sustainable manner.
36. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Inequality
along time
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Conclusion
References
Intergenerational equity
De
37. nitions of sustainability
A The present generation behaves in a sustainable manner if
its wellbeing level can be the
39. es techn. institut. constraints.
A1 The present generation behaves in a sustainable manner if
the next generation can attain at least the same wellbeing
level even if it behaves in a sustainable manner.
The stream is sustainable if all generations behave in a
sustainable manner.
B The stream is sustainable if the maximin value is
non-decreasing, where the maximin value is sup, taken over
the set of streams satisfying technical and institutional
constraints, of inf of wellbeing along the stream.
40. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Inequality
along time
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Conclusion
References
Intergenerational equity
De
41. nitions of sustainability
A The present generation behaves in a sustainable manner if
its wellbeing level can be the
43. es techn. institut. constraints.
A1 The present generation behaves in a sustainable manner if
the next generation can attain at least the same wellbeing
level even if it behaves in a sustainable manner.
The stream is sustainable if all generations behave in a
sustainable manner.
B The stream is sustainable if the maximin value is
non-decreasing, where the maximin value is sup, taken over
the set of streams satisfying technical and institutional
constraints, of inf of wellbeing along the stream.
C The present generation behaves in a sustainable manner if
the genuine savings indicator, valued in terms an objective
function along a stream implemented by a resource
allocation mechanism, is non-negative.
44. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Inequality
along time
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Conclusion
References
Intergenerational equity
De
45. nitions of sustainability
A The present generation behaves in a sustainable manner if
its wellbeing level can be the
47. es techn. institut. constraints.
A1 The present generation behaves in a sustainable manner if
the next generation can attain at least the same wellbeing
level even if it behaves in a sustainable manner.
The stream is sustainable if all generations behave in a
sustainable manner.
B The stream is sustainable if the maximin value is
non-decreasing, where the maximin value is sup, taken over
the set of streams satisfying technical and institutional
constraints, of inf of wellbeing along the stream.
C The present generation behaves in a sustainable manner if
the genuine savings indicator, valued in terms an objective
function along a stream implemented by a resource
allocation mechanism, is non-negative.
48. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Inequality
along time
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Conclusion
References
Inter- and intragenerational equity
49. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Inequality
along time
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Conclusion
References
Inter- and intragenerational equity
How to determine generational wellbeing
when there is intragenerational inequality?
50. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Inequality
along time
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Conclusion
References
Inter- and intragenerational equity
How to determine generational wellbeing
when there is intragenerational inequality?
Sustainable development is a development that meets the
needs of the present without compromising the ability of
future generations to meet their own needs
51. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Inequality
along time
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Conclusion
References
Inter- and intragenerational equity uncertainty
52. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Inequality
along time
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Conclusion
References
Inter- and intragenerational equity uncertainty
How to determine generational wellbeing
when there is intragenerational inequality and uncertainty?
53. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Inequality
along time
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Conclusion
References
Endogenous population
+ positive prob. of extinction
54. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Inequality
along time
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Conclusion
References
Endogenous population
+ positive prob. of extinction
How to compare generational wellbeing
when there is a positive probability
that future generations might not exist?
55. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
Question 2: Is sustainability good?
56. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
Intergenerational equity
space
(intragen.
distr.)
location
time
(intergen.
distr.)
57. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
Intergenerational equity
How to impose impartiality?
space
(intragen.
distr.)
location
time
(intergen.
distr.)
58. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
Intergenerational equity
How to impose impartiality?
Axiom of equal treatment:
space
(intragen.
distr.)
location
time
(intergen.
distr.)
59. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
Intergenerational equity
How to impose impartiality?
Axiom of equal treatment: Strong/Finite Anonymity
space
(intragen.
distr.)
location
time
(intergen.
distr.)
60. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
Intergenerational equity
How to impose impartiality?
Axiom of equal treatment: Strong/Finite Anonymity
space
(intragen.
distr.)
location
time
(intergen.
distr.)
61. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
Intergenerational equity
How to impose impartiality?
Axiom of equal treatment: Strong/Finite Anonymity
space
(intragen.
distr.)
location
time
(intergen.
distr.)
62. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
Buchholz: Impartiality + sensitivity leads to
non-decreasing streams in productive economies
63. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
Buchholz: Impartiality + sensitivity leads to
non-decreasing streams in productive economies
space
(intragen.
distr.)
location
time
(intergen.
distr.)
64. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
Buchholz: Impartiality + sensitivity leads to
non-decreasing streams in productive economies
space
(intragen.
distr.)
location
time
(intergen.
distr.)
65. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
Buchholz: Impartiality + sensitivity leads to
non-decreasing streams in productive economies
Justifying sustainability
(Asheim, Buchholz Tungodden, JEEM, 2001)
space
(intragen.
distr.)
location
time
(intergen.
distr.)
66. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
Priority for the worse o
67. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
Priority for the worse o
Equal treatment of generations is compatible with
with letting the welfare weights assigned to
dierent generations' marginal well-being depend on
68. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
Priority for the worse o
Equal treatment of generations is compatible with
with letting the welfare weights assigned to
dierent generations' marginal well-being depend on
their absolute level of well-being
69. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
Priority for the worse o
Equal treatment of generations is compatible with
with letting the welfare weights assigned to
dierent generations' marginal well-being depend on
their absolute level of well-being
their relative rank in well-being.
70. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
71. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
Weights depending on levels of well-being only:
Undiscounted utilitarianism
72. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
Weights depending on levels of well-being only:
Undiscounted utilitarianism
xt A comprehensive measure of consumption indicating the
well-being of generation t.
73. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
Weights depending on levels of well-being only:
Undiscounted utilitarianism
xt A comprehensive measure of consumption indicating the
well-being of generation t. Assume that unequal distribution
of consumption is deemed undesirable in social evaluation.
74. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
Weights depending on levels of well-being only:
Undiscounted utilitarianism
xt A comprehensive measure of consumption indicating the
well-being of generation t. Assume that unequal distribution
of consumption is deemed undesirable in social evaluation.
u(xt ) Utility derived from xt ,
where u is an increasing and strictly concave function.
75. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
Weights depending on levels of well-being only:
Undiscounted utilitarianism
xt A comprehensive measure of consumption indicating the
well-being of generation t. Assume that unequal distribution
of consumption is deemed undesirable in social evaluation.
u(xt ) Utility derived from xt ,
where u is an increasing and strictly concave function.
Under undiscounted utilitarianism, the weight on
generation t's well-being is proportional to u0(xt ).
76. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
Weights depending on levels of well-being only:
Undiscounted utilitarianism
xt A comprehensive measure of consumption indicating the
well-being of generation t. Assume that unequal distribution
of consumption is deemed undesirable in social evaluation.
u(xt ) Utility derived from xt ,
where u is an increasing and strictly concave function.
Under undiscounted utilitarianism, the weight on
generation t's well-being is proportional to u0(xt ).
Since u is strictly concave, the weight on a worse o generation
is higher than the weight on a better o generation.
77. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
Weights depending on levels of well-being only:
Undiscounted utilitarianism
xt A comprehensive measure of consumption indicating the
well-being of generation t. Assume that unequal distribution
of consumption is deemed undesirable in social evaluation.
u(xt ) Utility derived from xt ,
where u is an increasing and strictly concave function.
Under undiscounted utilitarianism, the weight on
generation t's well-being is proportional to u0(xt ).
Since u is strictly concave, the weight on a worse o generation
is higher than the weight on a better o generation.
With n generations, the weight is 1n
u0(xt )
78. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
Weights depending on levels of well-being only:
Undiscounted utilitarianism
xt A comprehensive measure of consumption indicating the
well-being of generation t. Assume that unequal distribution
of consumption is deemed undesirable in social evaluation.
u(xt ) Utility derived from xt ,
where u is an increasing and strictly concave function.
Under undiscounted utilitarianism, the weight on
generation t's well-being is proportional to u0(xt ).
Since u is strictly concave, the weight on a worse o generation
is higher than the weight on a better o generation.
With n generations, the weight is 1n
u0(xt )
But what with 1 generations?
79. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
Weights depending on levels of well-being only:
Undiscounted utilitarianism
80. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
Weights depending on levels of well-being only:
Undiscounted utilitarianism
Resolving a con
ict between the present and the future
Well -being
Time
81. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
Weights depending on levels of well-being only:
Undiscounted utilitarianism
Resolving a con
ict between the present and the future
Well -being
Time
82. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
Weights depending on levels of well-being only:
Undiscounted utilitarianism
Resolving a con
ict between the present and the future
Well -being
The blue stream is always preferred
Time
83. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
Weights depending on levels of well-being only:
Undiscounted utilitarianism
84. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
Weights depending on levels of well-being only:
Undiscounted utilitarianism
Mirrlees (1967) computed optimal well-being streams in
economic models under undiscounted utilitarianism and
observed that present generations should save up to 50 %
of their net income for the sake of future generations.
85. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
Weights depending on levels of well-being only:
Undiscounted utilitarianism
Mirrlees (1967) computed optimal well-being streams in
economic models under undiscounted utilitarianism and
observed that present generations should save up to 50 %
of their net income for the sake of future generations.
Rawls (1971, p. 287) reluctantly pointed out that
[t]his consequence can be to some degree corrected by
discounting the welfare of those living in the future
86. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
Weights depending on levels of well-being only:
Undiscounted utilitarianism
Mirrlees (1967) computed optimal well-being streams in
economic models under undiscounted utilitarianism and
observed that present generations should save up to 50 %
of their net income for the sake of future generations.
Rawls (1971, p. 287) reluctantly pointed out that
[t]his consequence can be to some degree corrected by
discounting the welfare of those living in the future
Arrow (1999, p. 16) concluded that the strong ethical
requirement that all generations be treated alike, itself
reasonable, contradicts a very strong intuition that it is not
morally acceptable to demand excessively high savings rates
of any one generation, or even of every generation.
87. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
88. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
Welfare weights depending on rank only:
Lexicographic maximin
89. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
Welfare weights depending on rank only:
Lexicographic maximin
Maximize the well-being of the worst-o generation
90. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
Welfare weights depending on rank only:
Lexicographic maximin
Maximize the well-being of the worst-o generation
To break ties
(if the worst-o generation has the same well-being)
maximize the well-being of the second worst-o generation
91. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
Welfare weights depending on rank only:
Lexicographic maximin
Maximize the well-being of the worst-o generation
To break ties
(if the worst-o generation has the same well-being)
maximize the well-being of the second worst-o generation
Etc.
92. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
Welfare weights depending on rank only:
Lexicographic maximin
93. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
Welfare weights depending on rank only:
Lexicographic maximin
Resolving a con
ict between the present and the future
Well -being
Time
94. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
Welfare weights depending on rank only:
Lexicographic maximin
Resolving a con
ict between the present and the future
Well -being
Time
95. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
Welfare weights depending on rank only:
Lexicographic maximin
Resolving a con
ict between the present and the future
Well -being
The blue stream is never preferred
Time
96. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
97. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
With absolute priority only,
no weight on any
99. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
With absolute priority only,
no weight on any
100. nite subset of generations
With relative priority only,
no weight on any generation but the worst o
101. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
With absolute priority only,
no weight on any
102. nite subset of generations
With relative priority only,
no weight on any generation but the worst o
How to avoid these extreme conclusions
while treating generations equally?
103. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
Combining absolute and relative priority
With absolute priority only,
no weight on any
104. nite subset of generations
With relative priority only,
no weight on any generation but the worst o
How to avoid these extreme conclusions
while treating generations equally?
Combine absolute and relative priority!
105. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
106. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
Time-discounted utilitarianism: (1
110. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
Time-discounted utilitarianism: (1
115. r1u(x[r ])
where (x[1]; x[2]; : : : ; x[r ]; : : : ) is a reordering of
(x1; x2; : : : ; xt ; : : : ) such that x[1] x[2] x[r ]
116. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
Time-discounted utilitarianism: (1
121. r1u(x[r ])
where (x[1]; x[2]; : : : ; x[r ]; : : : ) is a reordering of
(x1; x2; : : : ; xt ; : : : ) such that x[1] x[2] x[r ]
Hence, r is rank and
123. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
Zuber: Rank-discounted utilitarianism (RDU)
Time-discounted utilitarianism: (1
128. r1u(x[r ])
where (x[1]; x[2]; : : : ; x[r ]; : : : ) is a reordering of
(x1; x2; : : : ; xt ; : : : ) such that x[1] x[2] x[r ]
Hence, r is rank and
129. 2 (0; 1) is a rank utility disc. factor
Proposed by Stephane Zuber and analyzed in
Justifying social discounting: The RDU approach
(Zuber and Asheim, JET 2012)
130. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
Zuber: Rank-discounted utilitarianism (RDU)
Time-discounted utilitarianism: (1
135. r1u(x[r ])
where (x[1]; x[2]; : : : ; x[r ]; : : : ) is a reordering of
(x1; x2; : : : ; xt ; : : : ) such that x[1] x[2] x[r ]
Hence, r is rank and
136. 2 (0; 1) is a rank utility disc. factor
Proposed by Stephane Zuber and analyzed in
Justifying social discounting: The RDU approach
(Zuber and Asheim, JET 2012)
Utility discounting becomes a mere expression of
intergenerational inequality aversion
137. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
Consequence of RDU in present-future con
icts
138. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
Consequence of RDU in present-future con
icts
Resolving the con
ict between the present and the future
Well -being
Time
139. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
Consequence of RDU in present-future con
icts
Resolving the con
ict between the present and the future
Well -being
Time
140. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
Consequence of RDU in present-future con
icts
Resolving the con
ict between the present and the future
Well -being
The black stream is never preferred
Time
141. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
Consequence of RDU in present-future con
icts
Resolving the con
ict between the present and the future
Well -being
Time
142. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
Consequence of RDU in present-future con
icts
Resolving the con
ict between the present and the future
Well -being
Time
143. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
Consequence of RDU in present-future con
icts
Resolving the con
ict between the present and the future
Well -being
Time
The blue stream is sometimes preferred
144. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
Inter- and intragenerational equity
space
(intragen.
distr.)
location
time
(intergen.
distr.)
145. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
Inter- and intragenerational equity
How to impose impartiality?
space
(intragen.
distr.)
location
time
(intergen.
distr.)
146. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
Inter- and intragenerational equity
How to impose impartiality?
Axiom of equal treatment:
space
(intragen.
distr.)
location
time
(intergen.
distr.)
147. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
Inter- and intragenerational equity
How to impose impartiality?
Axiom of equal treatment: Strong/Finite Anonymity
space
(intragen.
distr.)
location
time
(intergen.
distr.)
148. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
Inter- and intragenerational equity
How to impose impartiality?
Axiom of equal treatment: Strong/Finite Anonymity
space
(intragen.
distr.)
location
time
(intergen.
distr.)
149. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
Inter- and intragenerational equity
How to impose impartiality?
Axiom of equal treatment: Strong/Finite Anonymity
space
(intragen.
distr.)
location
time
(intergen.
distr.)
150. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
Consequence of RDU in intragenerational con
icts
151. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
Consequence of RDU in intragenerational con
icts
Well -being
Time
152. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
Consequence of RDU in intragenerational con
icts
Well -being
Rich countries
Poor countries
Time
Ti
153. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
Consequence of RDU in intragenerational con
icts
The red stream is always preferred
Well -being
Rich countries
Poor countries
Time
Ti
154. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
Consequence of RDU in intragenerational con
icts
The red stream is always preferred
Well -being
Time
155. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
Inter- and intragenerational equity
+ uncertainty
states
location
156. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
Inter- and intragenerational equity
+ uncertainty
How to impose impartiality?
states
location
157. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
Inter- and intragenerational equity
+ uncertainty
How to impose impartiality?
Consider equally likely states
states
location
158. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
Inter- and intragenerational equity
+ uncertainty
How to impose impartiality?
Consider equally likely states
states
2 equally
likely
states
location
159. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
Inter- and intragenerational equity
+ uncertainty
How to impose impartiality?
Consider equally likely states and impose equal treatment
between locations in equally likely states
states
2 equally
likely
states
location
160. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
Inter- and intragenerational equity
+ uncertainty
How to impose impartiality?
Consider equally likely states and impose equal treatment
between locations in equally likely states
states
2 equally
likely
states
location
161. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
Inter- and intragenerational equity
+ uncertainty
How to impose impartiality?
Consider equally likely states and impose equal treatment
between locations in equally likely states
states
2 equally
likely
states
location
162. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
Inter- and intragenerational equity
+ uncertainty
How to impose impartiality?
Consider equally likely states and impose equal treatment
between locations in equally likely states
states
2 equally
likely
states
location
163. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
Endogenous population
+ positive prob. of extinction
164. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
Endogenous population
+ positive prob. of extinction
Motivation:
165. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
Endogenous population
+ positive prob. of extinction
Motivation:
There is a positive probability of human extinction.
166. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
Endogenous population
+ positive prob. of extinction
Motivation:
There is a positive probability of human extinction.
Stern Review's justi
168. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
Endogenous population
+ positive prob. of extinction
Motivation:
There is a positive probability of human extinction.
Stern Review's justi
169. cation for time utility discounting.
Policy (e.g. concerning climate change)
may lead to dierent people living in the future.
170. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
Endogenous population
+ positive prob. of extinction
Motivation:
There is a positive probability of human extinction.
Stern Review's justi
171. cation for time utility discounting.
Policy (e.g. concerning climate change)
may lead to dierent people living in the future.
So we need to be able to evaluate alternatives
with dierent sets of potential people.
172. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
Endogenous population
+ positive prob. of extinction
Motivation:
There is a positive probability of human extinction.
Stern Review's justi
173. cation for time utility discounting.
Policy (e.g. concerning climate change)
may lead to dierent people living in the future.
So we need to be able to evaluate alternatives
with dierent sets of potential people.
Result:
174. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
Endogenous population
+ positive prob. of extinction
Motivation:
There is a positive probability of human extinction.
Stern Review's justi
175. cation for time utility discounting.
Policy (e.g. concerning climate change)
may lead to dierent people living in the future.
So we need to be able to evaluate alternatives
with dierent sets of potential people.
Result: The RDU approach generalized to
176. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
Endogenous population
+ positive prob. of extinction
Motivation:
There is a positive probability of human extinction.
Stern Review's justi
177. cation for time utility discounting.
Policy (e.g. concerning climate change)
may lead to dierent people living in the future.
So we need to be able to evaluate alternatives
with dierent sets of potential people.
Result: The RDU approach generalized to
variable population (Asheim and Zuber, TE forth.)
178. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
Endogenous population
+ positive prob. of extinction
Motivation:
There is a positive probability of human extinction.
Stern Review's justi
179. cation for time utility discounting.
Policy (e.g. concerning climate change)
may lead to dierent people living in the future.
So we need to be able to evaluate alternatives
with dierent sets of potential people.
Result: The RDU approach generalized to
variable population (Asheim and Zuber, TE forth.) avoids
the repugnant conclusion
180. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
The Repugnant Conclusion (Par
182. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
The Repugnant Conclusion (Par
183. t, 1984)
For any egalitarian allocation with very high positive wellbeing,
wellbeing
population size
184. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
The Repugnant Conclusion (Par
185. t, 1984)
For any egalitarian allocation with very high positive wellbeing,
there is an allocation with very low positive wellbeing
which is better.
wellbeing
population size
186. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
Endogenous population
+ positive prob. of extinction
Motivation:
There is a positive probability of human extinction.
Stern Review's justi
187. cation for time utility discounting.
Policy (e.g. concerning climate change)
may lead to dierent people living in the future.
So we need to be able to evaluate alternatives
with dierent sets of potential people.
Result: The RDU approach generalized to
variable population (Asheim and Zuber, TE forth.) avoids
the repugnant conclusion
188. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
Endogenous population
+ positive prob. of extinction
Motivation:
There is a positive probability of human extinction.
Stern Review's justi
189. cation for time utility discounting.
Policy (e.g. concerning climate change)
may lead to dierent people living in the future.
So we need to be able to evaluate alternatives
with dierent sets of potential people.
Result: The RDU approach generalized to
variable population (Asheim and Zuber, TE forth.) avoids
the repugnant conclusion and the very sadistic conclusion
190. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
The Very Sadistic Conclusion (Arrhenius, 2014)
191. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
The Very Sadistic Conclusion (Arrhenius, 2014)
wellbeing
population size
192. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
The Very Sadistic Conclusion (Arrhenius, 2014)
wellbeing
c
population size
193. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
Endogenous population
+ positive prob. of extinction
Motivation:
There is a positive probability of human extinction.
Stern Review's justi
194. cation for time utility discounting.
Policy (e.g. concerning climate change)
may lead to dierent people living in the future.
So we need to be able to evaluate alternatives
with dierent sets of potential people.
Result: The RDU approach generalized to
variable population (Asheim and Zuber, TE forth.) avoids
the repugnant conclusion and the very sadistic conclusion
195. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
Endogenous population
+ positive prob. of extinction
Motivation:
There is a positive probability of human extinction.
Stern Review's justi
196. cation for time utility discounting.
Policy (e.g. concerning climate change)
may lead to dierent people living in the future.
So we need to be able to evaluate alternatives
with dierent sets of potential people.
Result: The RDU approach generalized to
variable population (Asheim and Zuber, TE forth.) avoids
the repugnant conclusion and the very sadistic conclusion
risk (Asheim and Zuber, 2014)
197. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Inequality
along time
Buchholz
Zuber
acr. location
acr. location
and states
w/uninhab.
locations
Conclusion
References
Endogenous population
+ positive prob. of extinction
Motivation:
There is a positive probability of human extinction.
Stern Review's justi
198. cation for time utility discounting.
Policy (e.g. concerning climate change)
may lead to dierent people living in the future.
So we need to be able to evaluate alternatives
with dierent sets of potential people.
Result: The RDU approach generalized to
variable population (Asheim and Zuber, TE forth.) avoids
the repugnant conclusion and the very sadistic conclusion
risk (Asheim and Zuber, 2014) handles pos. prob. of extinct.
while ensuring equal treatment across uncertain states
199. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Conclusion
References
Conclusion
Q1 What is sustainability?
Q2 Is sustainability good?
200. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Conclusion
References
Conclusion
Q1 What is sustainability?
Q2 Is sustainability good?
201. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Conclusion
References
Conclusion
Q1 What is sustainability?
Can be de
202. ned in the case of inequality along time only
(intergenerational equity)
Q2 Is sustainability good?
203. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Conclusion
References
Conclusion
Q1 What is sustainability?
Can be de
204. ned in the case of inequality along time only
(intergenerational equity)
More dicult to de
205. ne in the other cases (with inequality
not only along time, but also across space and over
uncertain states, and with uninhabited location-state pairs)
Q2 Is sustainability good?
206. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Conclusion
References
Conclusion
Q1 What is sustainability?
Can be de
207. ned in the case of inequality along time only
(intergenerational equity)
More dicult to de
208. ne in the other cases (with inequality
not only along time, but also across space and over
uncertain states, and with uninhabited location-state pairs)
Q2 Is sustainability good?
209. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Conclusion
References
Conclusion
Q1 What is sustainability?
Can be de
210. ned in the case of inequality along time only
(intergenerational equity)
More dicult to de
211. ne in the other cases (with inequality
not only along time, but also across space and over
uncertain states, and with uninhabited location-state pairs)
Q2 Is sustainability good?
Combining axiomatic analysis with productive technologies
leads to sustainable streams with inequality along time only
212. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Conclusion
References
Conclusion
Q1 What is sustainability?
Can be de
213. ned in the case of inequality along time only
(intergenerational equity)
More dicult to de
214. ne in the other cases (with inequality
not only along time, but also across space and over
uncertain states, and with uninhabited location-state pairs)
Q2 Is sustainability good?
Combining axiomatic analysis with productive technologies
leads to sustainable streams with inequality along time only
Such axiomatically based criteria can be used to determine
goodness also in the other cases
215. 2 questions
on sustain-
ability
G.B. Asheim
Outline
Q1 What is
sust.?
Q2 Is sust.
good?
Conclusion
References
References
Arrhenius G. 2014. Population Ethics. Oxford, UK: Oxford UP. Forthcoming
Arrow KJ. 1999. Discounting, morality, and gaming. In Discounting and Inter-
generational Equity ed. PR Portney, JP Weyant. Washington, DC: RFF
Asheim GB, Buchholz W, Tungodden B. 2001. Justifying sustainability
J Environ. Econ. Man. 41:252{268
Asheim GB, Zuber S. 2013. Escaping the repugnant conclusion: RDU with vari-
able population. Forthcoming in Theor Econ
Asheim GB, Zuber S. 2014. Probability adjusted RDU. CESifo WP No 4728
Mirrlees JA. 1967. Optimal growth when technology is changing. R. Econ. Stud.
46:32{37
Par
216. t D. 1984. Reasons and Persons. Oxford: Oxford UP
Rawls J. 1971. A Theory of Justice. Cambridge, MA: Harvard UP
Zuber S, Asheim GB. 2012. Justifying social discounting: the rank-discounted
utilitarian apporach. J. Econ. Theory 147:1572{1601