This volume brings together distinguished philosophers with
interdisciplinary expertise to show how the resources of philosophy can
be employed in the tasks of evaluating economics and fostering policy
debates. Contributors offer analyses of basic ideas in economics, such
as the notion of efficiency, "economic man", incentives, self-interest,
and utility maximization. They discuss key concepts in political theory
such as desert, compensation, autonomy, equality, consent or fairness.
The book then offers examples of how philosophical resources can be
applied to specific, timely debates, such as discrimination, affirmative
action, and ethical considerations in Social Security. These
applications demonstrate how philosophy, politics, and economics can be
fruitfully combined, while the more theoretical chapters clarify
fundamental relationships across these related disciplines. Ultimately,
the text guides students and scholars in expanding their perspectives as
they approach the necessarily complex research questions of today and
tomorrow.