ophelimity Econ.
(ɒfɪˈlɪmɪtɪ)
[f. F. ophélimité (also used), ad. Gr. ὠϕέλιµος useful, serviceable.]
(See quots.)
| [1896 V. Pareto Cours d'{Eacu}conomie Politique I. 3 Nous emploierons le terme ophélimité, du grec ὠϕέλιµος, pour exprimer le rapport de convenance qui fait qu'une chose satisfait un besoin ou un désir, légitime ou non.] 1896 Political Sci. Q. XI. 750 The term utility, for example, has its ambiguities; and Professor Pareto substitutes the word ophélimité, meaning capacity to satisfy any want, whether rational or irrational. 1920 A. C. Pigou Econ. of Welfare ii. 23 Several writers have endeavoured to get rid of the confusion..by substituting for ‘utility’..some other term such, for example, as Professor Pareto's ‘ophelimity’. 1935 Bongiorno & Livingston tr. Pareto's Mind & Society I. i. 29 In pure economics my hypothesis of ‘ophelimity’..remains experimental so long as inferences from it are held subject to verification on the facts. 1966 D. Mirfin tr. Pareto's Sociol. Writings 99 We shall employ the term ophelimity..to designate the relationship of convenience which makes a thing satisfy a need or desire, whether legitimate or not... Utility will be required for use in its ordinary accepted sense as the property which makes a thing favourable to the development and well⁓being of an individual, a community or the whole human species. |