A full formal representation of Arrow’s impossibility theorem

Revised proofs of Kenneth Arrow's impossibility theorem, one of the most influential theorems in economics, political science, and philosophy, have been presented in prose form, incorporating novel ideas such as decisive sets and pivotal voters. This study develops another approach to proving the theorem. Using a proof calculus in formal logic, we construct a proof with a full mathematical representation. While previous proofs emphasize intuitive accessibility, this one focuses on meticulous derivation and reveals the global structure of the social welfare function central to the theorem. The primary aim is to contribute methodologically to research on the theorem by demonstrating the effectiveness of systematically applying techniques from formal logic to its proof. Additionally, it accommodates a broader range of preference relations than those typically considered rational in standard economic models, allowing for the integration of diverse human behavior patterns into a single theoretical framework. The interdisciplinary relevance of the theorem is also discussed, including its relation to epistemology and philosophy.

Authors

Institutions

Publication Details

Journal
PLoS ONE
Published
2026-02-24
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0343069
Primary Topic
Game Theory and Voting Systems
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

A full formal representation of Arrow’s impossibility theorem

Kazuya Yamamoto
PLoS ONE
Game Theory and Voting Systems
article

A full formal representation of Arrow’s impossibility theorem

Kazuya Yamamoto
article en

Abstract

Revised proofs of Kenneth Arrow's impossibility theorem, one of the most influential theorems in economics, political science, and philosophy, have been presented in prose form, incorporating novel ideas such as decisive sets and pivotal voters. This study develops another approach to proving the theorem. Using a proof calculus in formal logic, we construct a proof with a full mathematical representation. While previous proofs emphasize intuitive accessibility, this one focuses on meticulous derivation and reveals the global structure of the social welfare function central to the theorem. The primary aim is to contribute methodologically to research on the theorem by demonstrating the effectiveness of systematically applying techniques from formal logic to its proof. Additionally, it accommodates a broader range of preference relations than those typically considered rational in standard economic models, allowing for the integration of diverse human behavior patterns into a single theoretical framework. The interdisciplinary relevance of the theorem is also discussed, including its relation to epistemology and philosophy.

PLoS ONEVol. 21(2)
Kyoto Sangyo University (JP)
Reduced inequalities
Openalex Percentile: Top 48%
Game Theory and Voting Systems
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.