Artisanal gold mining in Kejetia (Tongo, Northern Ghana): a three-dimensional perspective

Using in-depth ethnographic analysis of Kejetia’s artisanal gold mining community in Tongo (Northern Ghana), this article argues that governance is based on artisanal gold miners’ three-dimensional orientation towards both ‘above-ground’ social–political relations and regulations (a geometrically two-dimensional orientation) and the ‘subterranean’ geological sphere (which literally adds depth and a third geometric dimension). A substance relation to gold also means that its properties and geological context strongly influence miners’ micro governance, as do miners’ cosmological perceptions of gold’s relationship to the above-ground and subterranean spheres. Hence, gold acquisition is embedded in a web of geological, social and cosmological relations beyond actual excavation. Artisanal mining policy and research should recognise the impact of this three-dimensional orientation and substance approach.Cultural antropology and development sociolog

Modelling indifference with choice functions

We investigate how to model indifference with choice functions. We take the coherence axioms for choice functions proposed by Seidenfeld, Schervisch and Kadane as a source of inspiration, but modify them to strengthen the connection with desirability. We discuss the properties of choice functions that are coherent under our modified set of axioms and the connection with desirability. Once this is in place, we present an axiomatisation of indifference in terms of desirability. On this we build our characterisation of indifference in terms of choice functions

Modelling indifference with choice functions

We investigate how to model indifference with choice functions. We take the coherence axioms for choice functions proposed by Seidenfeld, Schervisch and Kadane as a source of inspiration, but modify them to strengthen the connection with desirability. We discuss the properties of choice functions that are coherent under our modified set of axioms and the connection with desirability. Once this is in place, we present an axiomatisation of indifference in terms of desirability. On this we build our characterisation of indifference in terms of choice functions