Yeah, I’m using “(B-P)” very loosely. And of course the question of what units B and P are in and how one even does such a comparison is very open. I suppose the traditional way out of this is to say that B and P are measured in utilons… which adds nothing to the discussion, really, but sounds comfortingly concrete. (I am rapidly convincing myself that I should never use the word “utilon” seriously for precisely this reason; I run the risk of fooling myself into thinking I know what I’m talking about.)
The relevant formula might be something other than (B-P), depending on Sam’s utility function, but otherwise that’s essentially what I believe.
Yeah, I’m using “(B-P)” very loosely. And of course the question of what units B and P are in and how one even does such a comparison is very open. I suppose the traditional way out of this is to say that B and P are measured in utilons… which adds nothing to the discussion, really, but sounds comfortingly concrete. (I am rapidly convincing myself that I should never use the word “utilon” seriously for precisely this reason; I run the risk of fooling myself into thinking I know what I’m talking about.)
Non-rigorous concepts should definitely be given appropriate-sounding names; perhaps “magic cookies” would be better?
I like that. Yes indeed, magic cookies it is.