The Limits of Utilitarianism
Adam Gurri joins us for a discussion on utilitarianism and why it may not be a satisfactory moral theory in which to ground libertarianism.
This week we discuss the philosophy of utilitarianism and it’s relationship with libertarianism.
What is utilitarianism? How is utilitarianism related to economics? What makes utilitarianism seem to work so well when applied to economic thinking? And where does it go wrong?
Show Notes and Further Reading
Adam Gurri, “Morality, Economics, and the Problem with Preferences” (column)
Adam Gurri, “Liberty with Dignity, Mutual Respect, and Morality” (column)
Jeremy Bentham and J. S. Mill, Utilitarianism and Other Essays (collection)
Lorraine Hansberry, A Raisin in the Sun (play)
Alfred C. Pigou, The Economics of Welfare (book)
Ronald Coase, The Firm, the Market, and the Law (book)