We show that if an agent is uncertain about the precise form of his utility function, his actual relative risk aversion may depend on wealth even if he knows his utility function lies in the class of constant relative risk aversion (CRRA) utility functions. We illustrate the consequences of this...

In this paper, the method of deriving the parameter ε of inequality aversion from a parametric distribution of incomes is proposed. It is assumed that a social decision-maker appraises welfare in income distributions by means of the constant inequality aversion utility function and that incomes...

We show that if an agent is uncertain about the precise form of his utility function, his actual relative risk aversion may depend on wealth even if he knows his utility function lies in the class of constant relative risk aversion (CRRA) utility functions. We illustrate the consequences of this...

We consider a formal approach to comparative risk aversion and applies it to intertemporal choice models. This allows us to ask whether standard classes of utility functions, such as those inspired by Kihlstrom and Mirman [15], Selden [26], Epstein and Zin [9] and Quiggin [24] are well-ordered...

This note proposes the Burr utility function. Burr utility is a flexible two-parameter family that behaves approximately power-like (CRRA) remote from the origin, while exhibiting exponential-like (CARA) features near the origin. It thus avoids the extreme behavior of the power family near the...

We show that if an agent is uncertain about the precise form of his utility function, his actual relative risk aversion may depend on wealth even if he knows his utility function lies in the class of constant relative risk aversion (CRRA) utility functions. We illustrate the consequences of this...

This note reconsiders the classical problem of precautionary saving in the presence of an interest-rate risk, and provides a new interpretation of the threshold of 2 for the relative prudence index, which characterizes the necessary and sufficient condition for precautionary saving

Rankings of utility functions generated by simple n-th order risk-averse transformations are not partial orders, and therefore, do not yield reliable comparative statics predictions, except at the second order. Restrictions have been identified that rectify this deficiency at the third order...

We prove that the coefficient of absolute prudence is greater than k - times coefficient of absolute risk aversion for the utility function if and only if the coefficient of absolute prudence is (3-k) times the coefficient of absolute risk aversion for the inverse utility function. Moreover this...