Punk-rocker Pete is feeling insecure about his long-term relationship with economist Elaine. At the conclusion of a recent date, he tells Elaine, "I feel that I derive much more utility from this relationship than you." Elaine tells Pete that his claim is ridiculous because:
Elaine knows she has spent more income on Pete than Pete has spent on her over the course of their relationship
Elaine knows that utility is subjective and therefore it is not meaningful to make inter-personal utility comparisons
Elaine knows Pete has spent more income on her than she has spent on him over the course of their relationship
Pete knows he has spent more income on Elaine than Elaine has spent on him over the course of their relationship
Pete knows Elaine has spent more income on him than he has spent on her over the course of their relationship
both Elaine and Pete know they have spent the same amount of income on each other over the course of their relationship