Although initially simply representing a measure of “happiness” as part of the theory of Utilitarianism, the term ‘utility’ has been adapted and reapplied within neoclassical economics as a function that represents a consumer's preference ordering over a set of choices. Being a key turning point in the way we examine economics, Max and Dr Freer sit down to discuss the role utility plays in economic theory and how the concept has adapted and changed over time.
Dr Mikhail Freer is a Lecturer in the Department of Economics at the University of Essex and has published numerous research papers regarding utility, particularly relating to ‘revealed preferences'.
https://www.essex.ac.uk/people/freer98100/mikhail-freer
Episode Reference List:
1) Nudge: Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth, and Happiness
by Richard H. Thaler, Cass R. Sunstein
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3450744-nudge
Explaination:
https://www.tutor2u.net/economics/reference/what-is-a-behavioural-nudge
2) The behavioural effect of electronic home energy reports: Evidence from a randomised field trial in the United States
by Marisa L. Henrya, Paul J. Ferrarob, Andreas Kontoleon, 2019
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0301421519304094
3) How your Behaviour affects Economics!?... I Marginal Babble Ep. 2 with Dr Valerio Capraro
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4habCFsn7I
4) Who Is (More) Rational?,