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Towards a neoaristotelean theory of politics: A positive account of ‘fairness’

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  • David Levy

Abstract

The argument suggests that it is very hard to separate how, in fact, economists use theory and how the subjects of economics use theory. Further, we can explain why, after a dazzling wave of the hands, so much popular discussion of economic policies switches from real-valued considerations to infinitely-valued considerations. And, why it seems that only economists object. It has been the fate of economists across the centuries to insist that costs do matter, a proposition presupposing a world purged of infinities. For if there is an infinite distance between commodities (a noneconomist would have written down one word for the higher things and another for the lower), then cost truly does not matter. We have given a positive account of ‘fairness’ and generated some implications about the content of public opinion which will be relatively straightforward to test. Copyright Martinus Nijhoff Publishers 1984

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  • David Levy, 1984. "Towards a neoaristotelean theory of politics: A positive account of ‘fairness’," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 42(1), pages 39-54, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:pubcho:v:42:y:1984:i:1:p:39-54
    DOI: 10.1007/BF00124598
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. David Levy, 1982. "Rational Choice and Morality: Economics and Classical Philosophy," History of Political Economy, Duke University Press, vol. 14(1), pages 1-36, Spring.
    2. Grether, David M & Plott, Charles R, 1979. "Economic Theory of Choice and the Preference Reversal Phenomenon," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 69(4), pages 623-638, September.
    3. Olson, Mancur & Bailey, Martin J, 1981. "Positive Time Preference," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 89(1), pages 1-25, February.
    4. Stigler, George J & Becker, Gary S, 1977. "De Gustibus Non Est Disputandum," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 67(2), pages 76-90, March.
    5. David Levy, 1978. "Some Normative Aspects of the Malthusian Controversy," History of Political Economy, Duke University Press, vol. 10(2), pages 271-285, Summer.
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