James R. Otteson's Books

Should Wealth Be Redistributed?

A Debate

By: Steven McMullen,James R. Otteson

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Should Wealth Be Redistributed?

A Debate

By: Steven McMullen,James R. Otteson

A central contested issue in contemporary economics and political philosophy is whether governments should redistribute wealth. In this book, a philosopher and an economist debate this question. James Otteson argues that respect for individual persons requires that the government should usually not alter the results of free exchanges, and so redistribution is usually wrong. Steven McMullen argues that governments should substantially redistribute wealth in order to ensure that all have a minimal opportunity to participate in economic life. Over the course of the exchange, the authors investigate a number of important questions. Is redistribution properly a question of justice, and what is the appropriate standard? Has the welfare state been effective at fighting poverty? Can we expect government intervention in the economy to be helpful or counterproductive? Are our obligations to help the poor best met through government action, or through private philanthropy and individual charity? The book features clear statements of each argument, responses to counterarguments, in-text definitions, a glossary of key terms, and section summaries. Scholars and students alike will find it easy to follow the debate and learn the key concepts from philosophy, politics, and economics necessary to understand each position. Key Features: Offers clear arguments written to be accessible to readers and students without a deep background in economics, philosophy, or political theory. Fosters a deep exchange of ideas with responses from each author to the main arguments. Provides in-text definitions and a glossary with definitions of key terms. Includes section summaries that give an overview of the main arguments and a comprehensive bibliography for further reading.

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Page Count

226

Publisher

Taylor & Francis

Published Date

ISBN 10

100080190X

ISBN 13

9781000801903

Adam Smith

By: James R. Otteson

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Adam Smith

By: James R. Otteson

The Scottish philosopher Adam Smith (1723-1790) was as a pioneer of political economy. In fact, his economic thought became the foundation of classical economics and his key work, An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations, is considered to be the first modern work in economics. For Smith, a free competition environment was the best way to foster economic development that would work in accordance with natural laws. The framework he set up to explain the free market remains true to this day.

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Page Count

201

Publisher

Bloomsbury Publishing USA

Published Date

ISBN 10

1623565936

ISBN 13

9781623565930

Honorable Business

A Framework for Business in a Just and Humane Society

By: James R. Otteson

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Honorable Business

A Framework for Business in a Just and Humane Society

By: James R. Otteson

Business has a bad name for many people. It is easy to point to unethical and damaging behavior by companies. And it may seem straightforward to blame either indivuduals or, more generally, ruthless markets and amoral commercial society. In Honorable Business, James R. Otteson argues that business activity can be valuable in itself. The primary purpose of honorable businesses is to create value-for all parties. They look for mutually voluntary and mutually beneficial transactions, so that all sides of any exchange benefit, leading to increasing prosperity not just for one person or for one group at the expense of others but simultaneously for everyone involved. Done correctly, honorable business is a positive-sum activity that can enable flourishing for individuals and prosperity for society. Otteson connects honorable business with the political, economic, and cultural institutions that contribute to a just and humane society. He builds on Aristotle's conception of human beings as purposive creatures who are capable of constructing a plan for their lives that gives them a chance of achieving the highest good for humanity, focusing on autonomy and accountability, as well as good moral judgment. This good judgment can enable us to answer the why of what we do, not just the how. He also draws on Adam Smith's moral philosophy and political economy, and argues that Smithian institutions have played a significant role in the remarkable increase in worldwide prosperity we have seen over the last two hundred years. Otteson offers a pragmatic Code of Business Ethics, linked to a specific conception of professionalism, and defends this Code on the basis of a moral mandate to use one's limited resources of time, talent, and treasure to provide value for oneself only by simultaneously providing value to others. The result is well-articulated parameters within which business can be an acceptable-perhaps even praiseworthy-activity.

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Page Count

358

Publisher

Oxford University Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

0190914238

ISBN 13

9780190914233

Actual Ethics

By: James R. Otteson

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Actual Ethics

By: James R. Otteson

Actual Ethics offers a moral defense of the 'classical liberal' political tradition and applies it to several of today's vexing moral and political issues. James Otteson argues that a Kantian conception of personhood and an Aristotelian conception of judgment are compatible and even complementary. He shows why they are morally attractive, and perhaps most controversially, when combined, they imply a limited, classical liberal political state. Otteson then addresses several contemporary problems - wealth and poverty, public education, animal welfare, and affirmative action - and shows how each can be plausibly addressed within the Kantian, Aristotelian and classical liberal framework. Written in clear, engaging, and jargon-free prose, Actual Ethics will give students and general audiences an overview of a powerful and rich moral and political tradition that they might not otherwise consider.

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Page Count

341

Publisher

Cambridge University Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

1139457101

ISBN 13

9781139457101

Seven Deadly Economic Sins

Obstacles to Prosperity and Happiness Every Citizen Should Know

By: James R. Otteson

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Seven Deadly Economic Sins

Obstacles to Prosperity and Happiness Every Citizen Should Know

By: James R. Otteson

You have heard of the Seven Deadly Sins: pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath, and sloth. Each is a natural human weakness that impedes happiness. In addition to these vices, however, there are economic sins as well. And they, too, wreak havoc on our lives and in society. They can seem intuitively compelling, yet they lead to waste, loss, and forgone prosperity. In this thoughtful and compelling book, James Otteson tells the story of seven central economic fallacies, explaining why they are fallacies, why believing in them leads to mistakes and loss, and how exorcizing them from our thinking can help us avoid costly errors and enable us to live in peace and prosperity.

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Page Count

325

Publisher

Cambridge University Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

1108910408

ISBN 13

9781108910408

The End of Socialism

By: James Otteson

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The End of Socialism

By: James Otteson

The End of Socialism explores the difficulties socialism faces and examines the extent to which its moral ideals can guide policy.

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239

Publisher

Cambridge University Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

1107017319

ISBN 13

9781107017313

Honorable Business

A Framework for Business in a Just and Humane Society

By: James R. Otteson

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Honorable Business

A Framework for Business in a Just and Humane Society

By: James R. Otteson

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Page Count

249

Publisher

Oxford University Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

019091422X

ISBN 13

9780190914226

The End of Socialism

By: James Otteson

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The End of Socialism

By: James Otteson

Is socialism morally superior to other systems of political economy, even if it faces practical difficulties? In The End of Socialism, James R. Otteson explores socialism as a system of political economy - that is, from the perspectives of both moral philosophy and economic theory. He examines the exact nature of the practical difficulties socialism faces, which turn out to be greater than one might initially suppose, and then asks whether the moral ideals it champions - equality, fairness, and community - are important enough to warrant attempts to overcome these difficulties nonetheless, especially in light of the alleged moral failings of capitalism. The result is an examination of the 'end of socialism', both in the sense of the moral goals it proposes and in the results of its unfolding logic.

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Page Count

239

Publisher

Cambridge University Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

1316060756

ISBN 13

9781316060759

Adam Smith

By: James R. Otteson

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Adam Smith

By: James R. Otteson

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201

Publisher

Bloomsbury Publishing USA

Published Date

ISBN 10

1623565936

ISBN 13

9781623565930

Book's by James R. Otteson

Should Wealth Be Redistributed?

Should Wealth Be Redistributed?

Adam Smith

Adam Smith

Honorable Business

Honorable Business

Actual Ethics

Actual Ethics

Seven Deadly Economic Sins

Seven Deadly Economic Sins

The End of Socialism

The End of Socialism

Honorable Business

Honorable Business

The End of Socialism

The End of Socialism

Adam Smith

Adam Smith

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