Ethics and Public Policy: A Philosophical Inquiry
Author Description
Train Crashes Cause, On Average, A Handful Of Deaths Each Year In The Uk. Technologies Exist That Would Save The Lives Of Some Of Those Who Die. Yet These Technical Innovations Would Cost Hundreds Of Millions Of Pounds. Should We Spend The Money? How Can We Decide How To Trade Off Life Against Financial Cost? Such Dilemmas Make Public Policy Is A Battlefield Of Values, Yet All Too Often We Let Technical Experts Decide The Issues For Us. Can Philosophy Help Us Make Better Decisions? Ethics And Public Policy: A Philosophical Inquiry Is The First Book To Subject Important And Controversial Areas Of Public Policy To Philosophical Scrutiny. Jonathan Wolff, A Renowned Philosopher And Veteran Of Many Public Committees, Such As The Gambling Review Body, Introduces And Assesses Core Problems And Controversies In Public Policy From A Philosophical Standpoint.--publisher Description. Introduction -- Scientific Experiments On Animals -- Gambling -- Drugs -- Safety -- Crime And Punishment -- Health -- Disability -- The Free Market -- Conclusion. By Jonathan Wolff. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This book investigates whether philosophical inquiry can provide a more robust framework for resolving complex public policy dilemmas than reliance on technical expertise alone. Jonathan Wolff, a professor of philosophy with extensive experience serving on public policy committees, utilizes his dual background to bridge the gap between abstract ethical theory and concrete governance. He argues that policy decisions involving trade-offs—such as the valuation of human life against financial cost—are inherently value-laden and require rigorous moral scrutiny rather than purely technical calculation.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- Philosophical analysis of controversial policy areas including animal experimentation, gambling, and drug regulation.
- Examination of the ethics surrounding safety standards, crime, punishment, and healthcare resource allocation.
- Discussion of the role of the free market in public policy and the rights of individuals with disabilities.
- A methodology that applies ethical frameworks to real-world committee decision-making processes.
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Experts and academics frequently cite this work as a foundational text for understanding the intersection of moral philosophy and practical governance. Readers often note that the prose remains accessible to non-specialists while maintaining the analytical rigor required for academic study.
Page Count:
230
Publication Date:
2011-01-01
Publisher:
Routledge
ISBN-10:
0203816382
ISBN-13:
9780203816387
Philosophy
Social Issues
Ethics
Moral and ethical aspects
Public Policy
Public Administration
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