It's a mathematical construct to show ranking of points in a topological space. With two simple axioms, comparability and transitivity, it is fairly well defined mathematically, though it typically enters the extrapolation zone at extremes.
But if the definition is barely more fleshed out than "some cost function", then the difference between utility, priority and equality as discussed in the article collapse; they're all the same thing. Cost functions, aka: utility.
Yeah, I was struggling the find the best terminology for that, but given the ambiguity of the term "utility" in this context I though it better to avoid that ;-).
It's a mathematical construct to show ranking of points in a topological space. With two simple axioms, comparability and transitivity, it is fairly well defined mathematically, though it typically enters the extrapolation zone at extremes.