On Preference, Freedom and Diversity

The original publication is available at www.springerlink.comWe study the problem of ranking sets of options in terms of freedom of choice.We propose a framework in which both the diversity of the options and the preferences of the agent over the options do play a role.We formulate some axioms that reflect these two aspects of freedom and we study their logical implications. Two different criteria for ranking sets are characterized, which generalize some of the rankings proposed so far in the literature.Vito Peragine acknowledges financial support from BEC-2001-1653 and the MIUR, Italy (research project on “The Analysis and Measurement of Freedom”). Romero-Medina acknowledges financial support fromMEC SEJ 2005-06167/ECON and Comunidad de Madrid project 06/HSE/0174/2004.Publicad