Desert and Distributive Efficiency
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Éthique et économique = Ethics and economics ; vol. 5, no. 2.Publisher(s)
Centre de recherche en éthique de l'Université de MontréalAuthor(s)
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Abstract(s)
It is highly desirable for an allocation of goods to be efficient. However, one might also deem it important that an allocation gives individuals what they deserve. This paper investigates whether it is possible for an allocation to be both efficient and give people what they deserve. It will first of all consider comparative desert, and conclude that it is possible to satisfy both desiderata. It will then consider absolute desert by integrating Shelly Kagan’s work on desert and economic theory. The conclusion will be that there are potential conflicts between absolute desert and efficiency. The paper will then examine how to select the best compromise between the two values, considering several different conceptions of absolute desert. Il est fortement désirable pour une allocation des biens d’être efficiente. Pourtant, on peut aussi juger important que l’allocation donne aux individus ce qu’ils méritent. Ce papier examine s’il est possible pour une allocation d’être à la fois efficiente et de donner aux individus ce qu’ils méritent. Tout d’abord, nous considérons des mérites comparatifs et nous concluons qu’il est possible de satisfaire les deux exigences. Ensuite nous considérons le mérite absolu en intégrant les travaux de Shelly Kagan sur le mérite et la théorie économique. Nous concluons qu’il existe des conflits potentiels entre le mérite absolu et l’efficience. Le papier examine alors comment sélectionner le meilleur compromis entre les deux valeurs, considérant plusieurs conceptions du mérite absolu.
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