Some Considerations Regarding the Problem of Multidimensional Utility Volume 3 Jena Economic Research Papers 2009-12-08 2009 2007 2009-099 utility pleasures neuroeconomics multidimensionality of utility The concept of ‘utility’ is often used in ambiguous ways in economics, from having substantive psychological connotations to being a formal placeholder representing a person’s preferences. In the accounts of the early utilitarians, it was a multidimensional measure that has been condensed during the marginalist revolution into the unidimensional measure we know today. But can we compare different pleasures? This paper assesses the evidence from psychology and neurosciences on how to best conceive of utility. It turns out that empirical evidence does not favor a view of multidimensional utility. This does not eliminate the possibility to make a normative argument supporting a multidimensional notion of utility. jportal_jpjournal_00000016 2009-12-08T09:45:37.395Z 2010-12-17T11:54:12.773Z