Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/190951 
Authors: 
Year of Publication: 
2019
Citation: 
[Journal:] BioPhysical Economics and Resource Quality [ISSN:] 2366-0120 [Volume:] 4 [Issue:] 1 [Publisher:] Springer Nature [Place:] Basel [Year:] 2019 [Pages:] 1-15
Publisher: 
Springer Nature, Basel
Abstract: 
This article discusses the aggregation problem and its implications for ecological economics. The aggregation problem consists of a simple dilemma: when adding heterogeneous phenomena together, the observer must choose the unit of analysis. The dilemma is that this choice affects the resulting measurement. This means that aggregate measurements are dependent on one's goals, and on the underlying theory. Using simple examples, this article shows how the aggregation problem complicates tasks such as calculating indexes of aggregate quantity, and how it undermines attempts to find a singular metric for complex issues such as sustainability. [Data and analysis for this paper are available at the Open Science Framework: https://osf.io/3smra/]
Subjects: 
aggregation
capital stock
GDP
natural capital
sustainability indices
JEL: 
P16
P48
E01
C43
Q56
Q01
URL of the first edition: 
Creative Commons License: 
cc-by-nc-nd Logo
Document Type: 
Article
Document Version: 
Manuscript Version (Preprint)

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