Abstract
A hard choice is a situation in which an agent is unable to make a justifiable choice from a given menu of alternatives. Our objective is to present a systematic treatment of the axiomatic structure of such situations. To do so, we draw on and contribute to the study of choice functions that can be indecisive, i.e., that may fail to select a non-empty set for some menus. In this more general framework, we present new characterizations of two well-known choice rules, the maximally dominant choice rule and the top-cycle choice rule. Together with existing results, this yields an understanding of the circumstances in which hard choices arise.
Highlights
We are concerned with the phenomena of hard choices, that is, situations in which an agent is unable to make a justified choice from a given menu
Our objective here is to present a systematic analysis of the axiomatic structure of hard choices with the help of the theory of rational choice
We examine choice functions in general and define a hard choice as a situation to which a given choice function assigns the empty set
Summary
We are concerned with the phenomena of hard choices, that is, situations in which an agent is unable to make a justified choice from a given menu. We examine choice functions in general (decisive and indecisive ones) and define a hard choice as a situation to which a given choice function assigns the empty set. Hard choices of this first type need not always be of such a radical or horrendous nature They can occur in any situation in which an agent has to make a choice between unacceptable or unattractive alternatives. Insofar as hard choices have been analysed in non-binary situations, the focus has often been with the question of how, if at all, an agent should rationally respond to, or deal with,. After setting up the formal framework, we study – in Section 3 – the nature of hard choices in situations where the preference relation induced by a choice function (the so-called base relation) is transitive.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
