I’d argue utility can exist outside of measurable systems but is defined by the measurements made within a system.
The measurements then determine with arbitrary values the utility of an object.
For instance, take two early human weapons: A wooden spear, and a club.
How would you rate the utility of each? By a varying degrees of ways, but they have different uses; a spear can hunt animals and has good penetrating power through flesh, a hammer can stun or knock out an animal, or drive a nail or stake.
But which of the two is the better use of the wood? That I believe, is at the core of your question.
The answer is both. A non-zero-sum system where both are valued for different purposes and no-one is the greater, or lesser thereof.
What a thought provoking question.
I’d argue utility can exist outside of measurable systems but is defined by the measurements made within a system.
The measurements then determine with arbitrary values the utility of an object.
For instance, take two early human weapons: A wooden spear, and a club.
How would you rate the utility of each? By a varying degrees of ways, but they have different uses; a spear can hunt animals and has good penetrating power through flesh, a hammer can stun or knock out an animal, or drive a nail or stake.
But which of the two is the better use of the wood? That I believe, is at the core of your question.
The answer is both. A non-zero-sum system where both are valued for different purposes and no-one is the greater, or lesser thereof.