Economics and Ethics: An Introduction

by A. Dutt, C. Wilber

Overview

This book provides an introduction to the relationship between economics and ethics, explaining why ethics enters economics, how ethics affects individual economic behaviour and the interactions of individuals, and how ethics is important in evaluating the performance of economies and of economic policies.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781349365920
Publisher:	Palgrave Macmillan UK
Publication date:	04/29/2010
Edition description:	1st ed. 2010
Pages:	283
Product dimensions:	5.51(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.02(d)

About the Author

Amitava Krishna Dutt is Professor of Economics and Fellow of the Kellogg Institute of International Studies and the Kroc Institute of International Peace Studies. He is the author or editor of several books, including Growth, distribution and uneven development (1990) and International Handbook of Development Economics (2008, co-editor) and numerous scholarly economics journals and edited volumes.

Charles K. Wilber is Professor Emeritus of Economics and Fellow, Joan B. Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies, University of Notre Dame, USA. He has written extensively on economic development, economic methodology, and economic ethics. His books include The Soviet Model and Underdeveloped Countries, An Inquiry into the Poverty of Economics, and Economics, Ethics and Public Policy (ed.).

Table of Contents

List of Figures and Tables viii

Preface ix

Part I Introduction and Background

1 Introduction 3

2 Economics Without Ethics? 17

3 Approaches to Ethics and Justice 35

Part II Ethical Values, Individual Behavior, and Social Interactions

4 Individuals, Norms, and Ethical Values 59

5 Social Interactions and Ethical Values 79

6 Markets and Ethical Values 95

Part III Ethical Issues for Evaluating Economies and Economic Policy Analysis

7 The Morality of Markets and Government Intervention 117

8 Individual Preferences, Efficiency, and Cost-Benefit Analysis 141

9 Production, Income, and Economic Growth 158

10 Fairness, Distribution, and Equality 175

Part IV Applications and Conclusion

11 Ethics and Applied Economics 205

12 Conclusion 230

Notes 235

References 250

Index 259

Editorial Reviews

"Within its chosen frame of reference the authors have made a substantial contribution." - Economic & Political Weekly

"Dutt and Wilber provide a compact yet comprehensive introduction to economics and ethics that thoroughly engages neoclassical economics, distinguishes different approaches to ethics, and discusses such fundamental issues as justice and equality. This is an excellent book, and is highly recommended for teaching and as a resource for scholars." - John B. Davis, Marquette University and University of Amsterdam

''This is a good and helpful introduction to the normative dimensions of economic theory and policy.'' - Albino Barrera, Providence College

'Wilber and Dutt bring a wealth of knowledge and humanity to the task of revitalizing the art of economics. This book provides a nuanced and timely account of the importance of ethics to our understanding of economics and public policies. The reader is in thoughtful and trustworthy hands.' - Jonathan B. Wight, Professor of Economics at the University of Richmond

From the Publisher