Published online by Cambridge University Press: 17 August 2016
Several optimal growth theorists have used a momentary utility function exihibiting constant elasticity of marginal utility. The usual formulation is
where U[·] = total per capita utiliy at time t, c(t) = per capita consumption at time t and v is a positive constant not equal to unity. Elasticity of marginal utility is given by
The author is grateful for the many constructive comments received from Roger Latham and David Peel. Thanks are also due to an anonymous referee of an earlier version of this paper; his valuable advice has been incorporated in this revised version but the usual caveat applies.