Ethical Issues in Economics From Altruism to Cooperation to Equity [Hardcover]

A critical perspective on the foundations of economic theory showing the importance of ethical considerations and focusing in particular on altruism, cooperation and equity. Mainstream neoclassical economics is analysed and challenged from a moral and socio-economic perspective, emphasizing the relationship between economics, ethics and politics. Throughout the book the nature of homo economicus is contrasted with that of homo ethicus. Their different moral principles, behavioural rules and values are compared and the importance of this battle for a good and civilised society is emphasised.List of Tables and Figures - Preface - Acknowledgement - Introduction - Altruism, Rationality and Morality - Economic, Socio-Economic and Moral-Economic Approaches to Altruism - (Non-Altruistic) Treatment of Altruism in some recent Economic Works - Supplement: Altruism, Fitness, Intelligence and Poverty - Ethical and Political Non-Neutrality of Neoclassical Economics - Ethics, Politics and Economics - Supplement: Is the 'dismal science' a corrupting one as well? - Ethics, Game Theory and Laboratory Experiments - Competitive vs Cooperative Individuals and Moral Principles of Cooperation - Efficiency and Equity: a Short-Run, Short-Sighted Trade-Off? - Concluding Notes - References - IndexM. TERESA LUNATI