The Economics of Ethics and the Ethics of Economics

Values, Markets and the State

编辑by Geoffrey Brennan, Professor of Economics, Research School of Social Sciences, The Australian National University, Canberra, Professor of Philosophy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, US and Professor of Political Science, Duke University, US and the late Giuseppe Eusepi, formerly Professor of Public Finance, Department of Law and Economics of Productive Activities, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy

This book makes a rational and eloquent case for the closer integration of ethics and economics. It expands upon themes concerned with esteem, self-esteem, emotional bonding between agents, expressive concerns, and moral requirements.

‘Economics and ethics are succumbing to the pull of disciplinary specialisation at their own peril. This volume represents a necessary and most welcome reminder of some ways in which the two are intertwined. How do economic preferences relate to ethical values? What are the motivational underpinnings on which we should base a theory of choice? What explains compliance with rules, and with tax legislation in particular? Any economist or political philosopher interested in these questions must read this book.’
– Peter Dietsch, Université de Montréal, Canada

‘Do market prices reflect values? What is the relation between social norms and economic incentives? Do economic agents respond to ethical arguments? By probing the boundaries between positive and normative theorizing and by bridging ethics, economics, and political science, this book is able to address a fascinating set of questions. I strongly recommend this book to anyone interested in normative issues in public policy – to academics and practitioners alike.’
– Fabienne Peter, University of Warwick, UK