In many decision scenarios, one has to choose an element from a set S given some reference point e. For the case where S is a subset of the Euclidean space , we axiomatize the choice method that selects the point in S that is closet to e.

The aim of this paper is to demonstrate that the requirement that preferences be definable ca be analyzed fruitfully in formal terms. More specifically, the paper provides an exemple of a formal investigation of the connection between a decision maker's language and the set of definable preferences.

This paper deals with repeated decision problems which are similar to the task of guessing the color outcomes of five independent spinnings of a roulette wheel, 60% of whose slots are covered in red and 40% in white, where each correct guess yields a prize of 1$.

This paper is the Schwartz Memorial Lecture, delivered at Kellogg, Northwestern University in May 1998. The lecture introduces some ideas about the possible use of tools taken from the economics literature to explain language phenomena. Two specific issues are discussed: From the domain of...

We asked subjects to self-select into one of two constests, "coin" or "die." The winner in each of the contest is the person with most correct guesses of 20 coin flips or 20 rolls of a die, respectively. Most subjects reported that they belived that most people would go to the "coin" group. They...

The paper questions the methodology of "economics and psychology". It focuses on the case of hyperbolic discounting. Using some experimental results, I argue that the same sort of evidence which rejects the standard constant discount utility functions can just as easily reject hyperbolic...

The paper argues for the formal investigation of conditions under which that preference reltions are definable in various simple languages. An example of such an investigation is given.

The paper questions the methodology of "economics and psychology". It focuses on the case of hyperbolic discounting. Using some experimental results, I argue that the same sort of evidence which rejects the standard constant discount utility functions can just as easily reject hyperbolic...