timtyler comments on Applying utility functions to humans considered harmful - Less Wrong

26 Post author: Kaj_Sotala 03 February 2010 07:22PM

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Comment author: timtyler 04 February 2010 09:13:12PM *  0 points [-]

There's already a word for that: "optimand".

Right - but you can't say "expected optimand maximiser". There is a loooong history of using the term "utility" in this context in economics. Think you have better terminology? Go for it - but so far, I don't see much of a case.

Comment author: Cyan 04 February 2010 09:17:48PM *  0 points [-]

That would be the "other concept" (link edited to point to specific subsection of linked article) referred to in the grandparent.