Skip to main content
Log in

A theory of Bayesian decision making with action-dependent subjective probabilities

  • Research Article
  • Published:
Economic Theory Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This paper presents a complete, choice-based, axiomatic Bayesian decision theory. It introduces a new choice set consisting of information-contingent plans for choosing actions and bets and subjective expected utility model with effect-dependent utility functions and action-dependent subjective probabilities which, in conjunction with the updating of the probabilities using Bayes’ rule, gives rise to a unique prior and a set of action-dependent posterior probabilities representing the decision maker’s prior and posterior beliefs.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Anscombe F., Aumann R.: A definition of subjective probability. Ann Math Stat 34, 199–205 (1963)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Drèze, J.H.: Les fondements logiques de l’utilite cardinale et de la probabilite subjective, pp. 73–87. La Decision, Colloques Internationaux de CNRS (1961)

  • Drèze J.H.: Decision theory with moral hazard and state-dependent preferences. In: Drèze, J.H. (eds) Essays on Economic Decisions Under Uncertainty, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge (1987)

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Karni E.: Subjective expected utility theory without states of the world. J Math Econ 42, 325–342 (2006)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Karni E.: A new approach to modeling decision-making under uncertianty. Econ Theory 33, 225–242 (2007)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Karni E.: Agency theory: choice-based foundations of the parametrized distribution formulation. Econ Theory 36, 337–351 (2008a)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Karni E.: On optimal insurance in the presence of moral hazard. Geneva Risk Insur Rev 33, 1–18 (2008b)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Machina M.J., Schmeidler D.: A more robust definition of subjective probability. Econometrica 60, 745–780 (1992)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Machina M.J., Schmeidler D.: Bayes without Bernoulli: simple conditions for probabilistically sophisticated choice. J Econ Theory 67, 106–128 (1995)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mirrlees J.: Notes on welfare economics, information and uncertainty. In: Balch, M., McFadden, D., Wu, S. (eds) Essays in Economic Behavior Under Uncertainty, North-Holland, Amsterdam (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Mirrlees J.: The optimal structure of authority and incentives within an organization. Bell J Econ 7, 105–113 (1976)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Savage L.J.: The Foundations of Statistics. Wiley, New York (1954)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wakker P.P.: Subjective probabilities for state dependent continuous utility. Math Soc Sci 14, 289–298 (1987)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wakker P.P.: Additive Representations of Preferences. Kluwer, Dordrecht (1989)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Edi Karni.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Karni, E. A theory of Bayesian decision making with action-dependent subjective probabilities. Econ Theory 48, 125–146 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00199-010-0542-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00199-010-0542-1

Keywords

JEL Classification

Navigation