Generalised Means of Simple Utility Functions with Risk Aversion

Abstract

The paper examines the properties of a generalised mean of simple utilities each displaying risk aversion, that is, with first derivative positive and second derivative negative. It shows the mean is itself a valid utility function and argues that simple component utilities, each of which may have quite restricted risk aversion properties, can be parsimoniously combined through the generalised mean formula to give a much more versatile utility function.