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Against the Sale of Homeopathy (and Other Ineffective Medicines)

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  • Jeffrey Moriarty

    (Bentley University)

Abstract

Consumers spend billions of dollars per year on homeopathic products. But there is powerful evidence that these products don’t work, i.e., they are not medically effective. Should homeopathic products be for sale? I give reason for thinking that the answer is ‘no.’ It has been suggested that the sale of homeopathic products involves deception. This might be so in some cases, but the problem is simpler: it is that these products don’t do what people buy them to do. More precisely, homeopathic products don’t meet the “desire-satisfaction condition,” according to which products for sale in markets should satisfy the desires that people buy them to satisfy. I defend my view against objections, and conclude by acknowledging some of the practical difficulties of banning products people want to buy.

Suggested Citation

  • Jeffrey Moriarty, 2025. "Against the Sale of Homeopathy (and Other Ineffective Medicines)," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 198(1), pages 143-153, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbuset:v:198:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1007_s10551-024-05792-y
    DOI: 10.1007/s10551-024-05792-y
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Leonie Aßmann & Tilmann Betsch, 2023. "Medical decision making beyond evidence: Correlates of belief in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and homeopathy," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 18(4), pages 1-14, April.
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    4. Cermin, Ashley & Berry, Christopher & Burton, Scot & Howlett, Elizabeth, 2019. "The effects of the FTC-mandated disclosure on homeopathic product purchase intentions and efficacy perceptions," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 101(C), pages 47-58.
    5. Olsaretti,Serena, 2004. "Liberty, Desert and the Market," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9780521836357, September.
    6. Satz, Debra, 2010. "Why Some Things Should Not Be for Sale: The Moral Limits of Markets," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780195311594, Decembrie.
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