The Boundaries of Technique: Ordering Positive and Normative Concerns in Economic ResearchIn this engaging and thought-provoking new work, Andrew Yuengert uses the moral philosophy of Thomas Aquinas to offer a fresh perspective on the sharp distinctions currently drawn between economics and ethics. In contract to modern philosophical approaches, which focus on the contrast between is and ought statements, a Thomistic analysis begins with the actions of economic researchers. This approach reconciles two popular extreme positions: economics as ethical at every turn, and economics as morally neutral. Exploring recent controversies over the role of ethics in economics, The Boundaries of Technique encourages scholars and students to discover and debate the ways in which economics is insulated from ethics, and the ways in which it is dependent upon it. Ultimately, by bringing readers to a deeper awareness of the intrinsic involvement of the individual and the responsibility of moral choice, Yuengert makes an invaluable contriubtion to the study and practice of economics. |
Contents
What Does Ethics Have to Do with Economics? | 1 |
Why Did the Economist Cross the Road? Morality and Rationality in Thomistic Moral Philosophy | 19 |
Multiple Ends and Their Order | 37 |
The Ends of Economics in Hierarchical Context | 49 |
Aquinas in the Marketplace of Ideas | 63 |
Consequences of the Modern Separation of Technique from Prudence | 77 |
When is Economics Not Technical? | 91 |
What Then Should Economists Do? | 109 |
Bibliography | 121 |
| 129 | |
About the Author | |
Other editions - View all
The Boundaries of Technique: Ordering Positive and Normative Concerns in ... Andrew Yuengert No preview available - 2004 |
The Boundaries of Technique: Ordering Positive and Normative Concerns in ... Andrew Yuengert No preview available - 2004 |
The Boundaries of Technique: Ordering Positive and Normative Concerns in ... Andrew Yuengert No preview available - 2004 |
Common terms and phrases
account of human achieve Aquinas's argument Aristotle 1941a boundaries chapter choice of ends claim context critique deliberate desirable developed discipline economic analysis economic research economists end-tree ends further ends of economics ends of human ethics and economics example exercise fact-value distinction formal friendship goals happiness hierarchical higher-order ends homo economicus human action human acts I–II instrumental rationality intellectual John Finnis judgment justification knowledge Mark Blaug means method mists models modern moral philosophy moral virtues motivation Nassau Senior nature nique nomics normative economics omists person philosopher policymakers Popperian positive economics positive-normative distinction postmodern principal-agent problem priority principle promote proximate ends purely pursue pursuit of ultimate question rational addiction reflection regression Richard McKeon role separation social someone sort statements tech technical technician technique and prudence teleological theory Thomistic account Thomistic framework Thomistic tradition tion truth ulti ultimate ends value-free values Yuengert Yves Simon