Main Currents in Sociological Thought: Volume 2 by Raymond Aron Raymond;

Author:Raymond Aron, Raymond;
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Routledge

V. Elites and Cycles of Mutual Dependence

At the end of the last chapter, I had arrived at the Paretian theory of utility, and in particular the distinction between maximum utility for and maximum of the collectivity. The context of the argument was as follows:

1. There is no logico-experimental solution to the social problem, or the problem of the line of conduct which the individual should adopt, because the goals of behavior are never determined in a logico-experimental manner.

2. The notion of utility is ambiguous and becomes clear only through the choice of a criterion by which to estimate utility.

3. In theory, ophelimity can be measured, but such measurement is possible only if the scale of preferences of the individual is accepted as valid a priori; it is by acceptance of this scale that one can conceive a rigorous (and rigorously objective) measurement of ophelimity.

4. Even if one accepts a specific criterion of utility, it is advisable to distinguish between direct and indirect utility, with total utility resulting from a combination of direct and indirect utility. Let us consider the case of a state that wishes to acquire an atomic force in the modem world. Direct utility is the advantage (or disadvantage, in the case of a negative utility) resulting for the state in question from the acquisition of atomic force. Indirect utility, whether positive or negative, is the result for the particular state from the transformation that takes place in the international system as a whole. Suppose, for example, that an increase in the number of atomic powers raises the probability of an atomic war; then the indirect utility will be negative by virtue of the increased danger, and this negative utility may be greater or smaller than the direct utility. There is also an indirect utility resulting, not from the transformation of the system as a whole, but from the repercussions of the conduct of others on the actor. Let us suppose, for example, that in the present situation the United States or the Soviet Union behaves differently toward France after France has come into possession of an atomic force than they would have behaved had they assumed that France had no atomic force: the result may be a positive or negative utility which must be added to direct utility in order to calculate total utility.

Let us now turn to the distinction between maximum utility for and maximum utility of a collectivity. By maximum utility for a collectivity, we refer to the point beyond which it is impossible to increase the utility of one individual of the collectivity without decreasing that of another. As long as this point is not reached, that is, as long as it is possible to increase the utility of some without decreasing the utility of any, it is rational to continue in the same course.

It is understood that this maximum utility for a collectivity presupposes a criterion of utility. Suppose, for example, the utility of the individuals is defined in terms of ophelimity, that is, satisfaction for the individuals in terms of their systems of preferences.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.