Synopses & Reviews
Understanding moral philosophy can help one to do economics better, and philosophers can learn by drawing on economic insights and analytical tools. This book argues that standard views of rationality lead economists to espouse questionable moral principles, and discusses methods of economic evaluation in terms of welfare and other moral criteria. It also contains a brief discussion of the relevance of social choice and game theory to philosophy. There is a glossary and at the end of each chapter are suggestions for further reading.
Review
'\"This interesting, informative, and well-written volume deserves a wide audience among economists and philosophers. Every student of economics can gain from reading it.\" Choice\"...the book is excellent, and few economists...will fail to learn from it and be challenged by its arguments.\" Paul Oslington, History of Political Economy\"I wish all economists would read this book. In fact, I wish it was included in the graduate curriculum of every economics PhD program.\" Charles K. Wilber, Review of Social Economy\"As survey, this book will fill gaps in almost every ethicist\'s reading and prove enormously helpful for students of the field and as the basis for an advanced undergraduate or graduate course in ethics and economics or philosophy and economics.\" Peter Danielson, Ethics'
Synopsis
Discusses how standard economics may be improved by an understanding of moral philosophy.
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. 227-242) and index.
Table of Contents
Introduction; 1. Ethics and economics; 2. Two examples; Part I. Rationality and Morality: 3. Rationality; 4. Rationality in positive and normative economics; 5. Rationality, norms and morality; Part II. Welfare and Consequences: 6. Welfare; 7. Efficiency; 8. Utilitarianism and consequentialism; Part III. Libert, Rights, Equality and Justice: 9. Liberty, rights and libertarianism; 10. Equality and egalitarianism; 11. Justice and contractualism; Part IV. Moral Mathematics: 12. Social choice theory; 13. Game theory; Part V. Conclusions: 14. Conclusions; Appendix: How could ethics matter to economics?