Interview of Peter J. Hammond

Abstract

This is the result of an interview conducted by email exchange during the period from July 2017 to February 2018, with minor adjustments later in 2018. Apart from some personal history, topics discussed include: (i) social choice, especially with interpersonal comparisons of utility; (ii) utilitarianism, including Harsanyi's contributions; (iii) consequentialism in decision theory and in ethics; (iv) the independence axiom for decisions under risk; (v) welfare economics under uncertainty; (vi) incentive compatibility and strategy-proof mechanisms, especially in large economies; (vii) Pareto gains from trade, and from migration; (viii) cost-benefit analysis and welfare measurement; (ix) the possible future of normative economics.

Keywords: social choice theory, interpersonal comparisons of utility, utilitarianism, Harsanyi, consequentialism in decision theory, welfare economics under uncertainty, incentive-compatibility and strategy-proof mechanisms, Pareto principle, welfare measurement

JEL Classification: B21, D61, D63, D71, D81, H00