Abstract
This paper has a dual purpose. First, I present a new modeling of partial naivete and apply this to procrastination. The decision maker is partially naive by perceiving that his current preferences may persist in the future. The behavioral implications of such partial naivete differ from those of related literature. Second, I suggest a general principle for welfare analysis in multi-self settings through a new application of Pareto-dominance, which reduces to the usual criterion for intertemporal choice if preferences are time consistent. In the case of procrastination, it leads to a clear welfare conclusion: Being partially naive reduces welfare.
Keywords and Phrases: Procrastination, partial naivete, time inconsistency, game theory, behavioral welfare economics.