Reclaiming virtue ethics for Economics

Bruni, Luigino and Sugden, Robert (2013) Reclaiming virtue ethics for Economics. Journal of Economic Perspectives, 27 (4). pp. 141-164. ISSN 0895-3309

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Abstract

Virtue ethics is an important strand of moral philosophy which normative economists have largely neglected. It underpins influential critiques of the market (as a domain in which instrumental motivation corrodes virtue) and of economics (as justifying such motivation). We explain and respond to this critique. Using the methods of virtue ethics and with reference to the writings of major economists, we propose an understanding of the ‘telos’ (purpose) of markets as cooperation for mutual benefit, and identify traits that thereby count as virtues for market participants. We conclude that the market need not be seen as a virtue-free zone.

Item Type:	Article
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Social Sciences > School of Economics
UEA Research Groups:	Faculty of Social Sciences > Research Groups > Economic Theory Faculty of Social Sciences > Research Centres > Centre for Behavioural and Experimental Social Sciences Faculty of Social Sciences > Research Centres > Centre for Competition Policy Faculty of Social Sciences > Research Groups > Behavioural Economics
Depositing User:	Pure Connector
Date Deposited:	27 Jan 2014 16:00
Last Modified:	19 Apr 2023 00:00
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/47111
DOI:	10.1257/jep.27.4.141

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