A Qualitative Linear Utility Theory for Spohn's Theory of Epistemic
  Beliefs
  In this paper, we formulate a qualitative "linear" utility theory for
lotteries in which uncertainty is expressed qualitatively using a Spohnian
disbelief function. We argue that a rational decision maker facing an uncertain
decision problem in which the uncertainty is expressed qualitatively should
behave so as to maximize "qualitative expected utility." Our axiomatization of
the qualitative utility is similar to the axiomatization developed by von
Neumann and Morgenstern for probabilistic lotteries. We compare our results
with other recent results in qualitative decision making.
