The problem with the EBA approach is that the results from it depend on the order in which the alternatives are examined. For example, if ABC and DEF are two door cars and XYZ is a four door car, and you prefer 4 door cars. If you look at number of doors first, then you may eliminate XYZ immediately, even though it may be superior to the other cars in every other attribute. Thus, the EBA approach can lead to inconsistent choices even by the same person with the same criteria for each attribute simply on the basis of the order in which the attributes are examined. This is a problem, because it suggests the person is not being rational.
Consistency is the hallmark of rationality.
People who choose inconsistently are considered irrational. As the EBA approach may lead to inconsistency, it is not a perfect method of choosing between alternatives, although it can generally produce reasonable results. One test for consistency is to see if a person's choices will is the principle of transitivity . Transitivity is an important criterion for rationality. Note that linking rationality to consistency means that rationality is content free.