Comparing Interpersonal Comparisons in Utility Theory and Happiness Research

Social scientists are reluctant to make explicit interpersonal comparisons of well-being. However, implicit comparisons are made on a surprisingly regular basis. These comparisons are based on the wealth and the Kaldor–Hicks concept in utility theory and on self-reported well-being in happiness research. Taking a utilitarian stance, this paper tests the ethical foundations of both principles. While self-reported well-being serves as an acceptable proxy for utilitarian decision-making, the Kaldor–Hicks concept does not appear so. Implications for evaluating policies are outlined.

A Socio-instutionalist Critique of the 1990s' Reforms of the United Kingdom's National Health Service

This paper argues that the on-going reforms to the UK's National Health Service initiated in the 1990s represent potentially profound institutional change to the values underpinning the process of care. The market-orientation of the reforms is highlighted, and it is asserted that the theoretical rationale for this is informed by the nascent neoclassical health economics and new institutionalist literatures, which exhibit utilitarian propensities in that both stress outcomes and at best relegate process. Drawing from the seminal contribution of Thorstein Veblen, the paper argues that market-oriented reform in the UK may induce a shift from a Hippocratic ethos to a more individualistic value system.     

John Stuart Mill's Theory Of Justice

John Stuart Mill has traditionally been portrayed as self-contradictory and failing to construct a unified social theory. Recent scholarship, however, has challenged this view, finding Mill's work to be creatively synthetic in bridging the antinomies inherent in liberal democratic thought. This revisionist interpretation of Mill is advanced by an understanding of his theory of justice and its role in shaping his policy positions on issues such as welfare, education, voting rights, property rights, taxation, government intervention, and the future of capitalism.     

马克思交往理论的思想溯源

马克思交往理论作为历史唯物主义的重要组成部分,它一方面是马克思本人根据历史事实进行长期理论思考的结果,另一方面也汲取了前代哲人相关思想中的积极合理因素.古典政治经济学分工与交换理论启发了马克思应该从总体上关注交往主体个人的切身利益.撇开法国18世纪功利主义交往观的狭隘方面,马克思从中获取了唯物主义的思想底蕴.德国理性主义主体性交往思想的思维方式和提出的实践、劳动等概念对马克思创建交往理论具有直接的借鉴意义.     

Resolving distributional conflicts between generations

Summary. We describe a new approach to the problem of resolving distributional conflicts between an infinite and countable number of generations. We impose conditions on the social preferences that capture the following idea: If preference (or indifference) holds between truncated paths for infinitely many truncating times, then preference (or indifference) holds also between the untruncated infinite paths. In this framework we use such conditions to (1) characterize different versions of leximin and utilitarianism by means of equity conditions well-known from the finite setting, and (2) illustrate the problem of combining Strong Pareto and impartiality in an intergenerational setting.Received: 8 May 2002, Revised: 12 June 2003, JEL Classification Numbers: D63, Q01.Correspondence to: Geir B. AsheimWe thank Kaushik Basu, Marc Fleurbaey, David Miller, Tapan Mitra, Lars-Gunnar Svensson, and an anonymous referee for helpful comments. Asheim gratefully acknowledges the hospitality of the Stanford University research initiative on the Environment, the Economy and Sustainable Welfare, and financial support from the Hewlett Foundation through this research initiative.     

Utilitarianism and the role of utility in Adam Smith

Abstract

In this paper we confront attempts to bring Smith closer to utilitarianism. We show that Smith's conception of utility is not utilitarian. While the pursuit of ‘pleasure’ could lie behind human behaviour, it is not the pleasure referred to by utilitarianism. Instead, utility, in its colloquial sense, plays a greater role that suggests a type of consideration which is foreign to utilitarianism and which also introduces a rationalist element to Smith's moral analysis. Thus, utility, in the utilitarian sense, is neither a guide to action nor a means for moral evaluation.     

Allocating chances of success in finite and infinite societies: The utilitarian criterion

We study a particular collective choice problem, that of allocating chances of success. We argue that many problems of interest have this nature, from small scale problems like medical triage to large scale ones like the allocation of opportunities in society. We consider both finite and infinite societies. We characterise utilitarian-type criteria by means of new properties tailored to the probabilistic structure of the alternatives.     

Creativity or Coercion: Alternative Perspectives on Rights to Intellectual Property

Part one of this paper considers the question of property rights in general and asks how such rights can be justified, contrasting Consequentialist with other approaches and concludes that it is impossible to avoid a broadly Consequentialist approach. Part two considers the question of intellectual property (IP) and asks how property rights justifications apply to it. The basic economics if IP is indispensable in this discussion. Finally, part three, considers IP in the light of modern technological developments. I conclude that the real dangers lie more in the specific ways government and special interests respond to this technology than from the nature of IP rights themselves. Peter Lewin is a Clinical Professor of Economics at the University of Texas at Dallas, School of Management. His research and publications are varied but usually contain aspects of policy analysis. His recent work focuses on the use of knowledge by the business firm.     

Business Ethics – Deontologically Revisited

In this paper we look at business ethics from a deontological perspective. We address the theory of ethical decision-making and deontological ethics for business executives and explore the concept of “moral duty” as transcending mere gain and profit maximization. Two real-world cases that focus on accounting fraud as the ethical conception. Through these cases, we show that while accounting fraud – from a consequentialist perspective – may appear to provide a quick solution to a pressing problem, longer term effects of fraud and misconduct make ethical implications more apparent. Widely used compensation schemes also may have the tendency to fuel unethical behavior. We argue that an ethical reinvigoration of the business world can only be accomplished by encouraging the business realm to impose upon itself some measure of self-regulating along the lines of deontological ethics. Principles of deontology should guide executive decision-making particularly when executives are tempted to operate outside of codified legislation or are bound to act under judicial-free conditions. Carmelita Troy is an Assistant Professor of Accounting in the Graduate School of Business and Public Policy at the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, California. Micewski, Edwin R., Dr., Brigadier General, is social philosopher and Director of the Institute for Human and Social Science of the Austrian National Defence Academy, Vienna. Member of the Science Commission of the Austrian Ministry of Defence and Visiting Professor at the Department of National Security Affairs of the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. Research and teaching areas: Social and cultural philosophy, military ethics, (military) professionalism and leadership, postmodernism and war. Recent publication: (Ethics and international Politics (2001); Civil- Military Aspects of Military Ethics (2003/2005); Terror and Terrorism- History of Ideas and Philosophical-Ethical Reflections (2005); Asymmetry and Western Society - Culture-critical Reflections(2006).     

"道义论"抑或"功利论":生态伦理学的根据

道义论和功利论是西方近代以来伦理学思想的两条主线,它们有着不同的道德理念、道德标准、道德追求和伦理精神。在生态伦理学理论的诠释中,仍可看到道义论和功利论的思想痕迹以及它们之间的理论冲突与融合在当代的延续。如何超越道义论与功利论的对立是当代生态伦理学的重要课题。