Remarks on Interpersonal Utility Theory

Abstract

It seems doubly appropriate that I use this occasion to discourse theoretically on a topic in practical philosophy — or, perhaps more accurately: to discuss a theoretical problem which is important to the extent that it bears upon practice. The first reason is that Stig Kanger’s own work has often and interestingly straddled that boundary; the second is that the ideas reported here were the topic of a seminar which I gave at Uppsala some years ago, at Stig’s invitation, and they bear marks of his participation.