[EM] Utility

[Forest Simmons]

The introduction of "utility" into game theory is a way of recognizing
that not all gains and losses can be measured in dollars and cents, and
that each player may well have his own private system of evaluating the
various outcomes of the game.

In a recent ballot measure here in Oregon we had to decide whether or not
to raise certain taxes to support the public schools.  Each voter had to
decide for herself how the intangibles of education and community compare
with her and others' abilities to pay these kinds of taxes.

The intangibles of wisdom, honesty, and integrity of candidates weigh
differently with different voters when the mix includes various campaign
promises having various potential objective and subjective benefits.

As Kevin's recent posting implicitly acknowledges, it is impossible for
most voters to assign precise numbers to their utilities in this context,
but often it is possible for them to identify where the biggest gaps in
their utilities are.

Approval allows them to incorporate this information more readily than
most ranked methods do, when at all.

This kind of information may be the kind that is relevant in eliminating
"Condorcet Turkeys" when possible.

Forest