Some fundamental problems of opinion modeling with implications to committee composition and social choice

The standard choice theory´s assumption of transitive preference relation is discussed. It is argued that in multi-criterion contexts it may be too demanding. The spatial choice theory´s assumption that individuals prefer the alternative closest to their optimum point is also called into question in multi-criterion settings. Fuzzy preference relations may suggest avenues to overcome these and other problems. Especially in setting up multi-member representative bodies the fuzzy preference models may turn out useful once the problems of opinion elicitation are solved.