Because the rankings of subjective value are based on observing the actions of just one individual at a time, interpersonal comparisons of subjective value are both impossible and meaningless. Any particular human action can show us only whether a single individual values Alternative A or Alternative B more highly. No action can provide a basis for comparing the subjective value of Alternative A between two different individuals.
Crusoe
      complete tree house
      hunt for food
      munch on coconuts
 Friday
      munch on coconuts
      start tree house
      go for a swim
For instance, Crusoe chooses to complete his tree house rather than to munch on coconuts, so we can conclude that munching on coconuts has lower utility to him than finishing the tree house. By observing Friday's choices, we can determine that munching on coconuts has higher utility than starting a tree house. Yet we cannot logically conclude that munching on coconuts has higher utility to Friday than to Crusoe (Open Details window). In fact, such a claim would be scientifically meaningless—since no particular observation can relate a ranking on Friday's scale to a ranking on Crusoe's. The coconuts, of course, have no choice in the matter.      Next page
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