Economic analysis and moral philosophy - Daniel M. Hausman

Understanding moral philosophy can lead to better economics. Conversely, economic insights and analytical tools can help philosophers. This book draws these two ideas together. Part I focuses on rationality and argues that, in defending their model of rationality, economists find themselves espousing fragments of a highly contestable moral theory. In Part II the authors consider the dubious theory of welfare implicit in standard evaluations of welfare economics and utilitarianism. Part III of this book is concerned with freedom, rights, equality, and justice, which are also important in evaluating economic policies and institutions. Part IV shows that technical work in economics is guided by ethical concepts and is relevant to moral theorizing.