Overview

"Economics is today among the most influential of all professions. Economists alter the course of economic affairs and deeply affect the lives of current and future generations. Yet, virtually alone among the major professions, economics lacks a body of professional ethics to guide its practitioners. Over the past century the profession consistently has refused to adopt or even explore professional economic ethics. As a consequence, economists are largely unprepared for the ethical challenges they face in their work.The Economist's Oath challenges the economic orthodoxy. It builds the case for professional economic ethics step by step-first by rebutting economists' arguments against and then by building an escalating positive case for professional economic ethics. The book surveys what economists do and demonstrates that their work is ethically fraught. It explores the principles, questions, and debates that inform professional ethics in other fields, and identifies the lessons that economics can take from the best established bodies of professional ethics. George DeMartino demonstrates that in the absence of professional ethics, well-meaning economists have committed basic, preventable ethical errors that have caused severe harm for societies across the globe. The book investigates the reforms in economic education that would be necessary to recognize professional ethical obligations, and concludes with the Economist's Oath, drawing on the book's central insights and highlighting the virtues that are required of the ""ethical economist.""The Economist's Oath seeks to initiate a serious conversation among economists about the ethical content of their work. It examines the ethical entailments of the immense influence over the lives of others that the economics profession now enjoys, and proposes a framework for the new field of professional economic ethics."

Full Product Details

9780199730568

Table of Contents

Reviews

Of course not all economists have ignored ethical issues. Among others, Robert Nelson (2001), Deirdre McCloskey (2006) and Paul Heyne (2008) have given thoughtful critiques of theological and ethical issues in the practice of economics. DeMartino takes those arguments a large step forward, however, arguing that economists, in their everyday practice of doing economics, are not ethical. --EH.net Both in construction and exposition the book displays the carefulness and clarity that characterizes the best philosophical writing. DeMartino works through his arguments thoroughly but concisely, not shrinking from exploring the ramifications of his points, but not pursuing them further than is needed to grasp the issues in question. The care and clarity of his writing should make it impossible for a careful, honest reader to misinterpret what the author is arguing. Hence he provides a fruitful basis for the further debate that he calls for... --Erasmus Journal for Philosophy andEconomics Can anyone doubt that economists need a good dousing in ethics? George DeMartino does just that. He does so, not in anger, but with the calm and persuasive tone of an author who knows his subjects and gives full airing to those who may disagree. He has written a book on ethics that is itself ethical. It is a valuable and novel contribution to a profession that keeps repeating its errors. How do we make them listen? --Jeff Madrick, author of The Case for Big Government DeMartino has broken with the economist's oath never to discuss oaths. It's about time. Economists are taught in graduate school that about ethics one should not dispute, which gives them a warrant to ignore ethics in their science. The teaching is philosophically naive and politically silly. A science of the economy, and certainly an economist advising the prince, depends on ethical commitments, such as the elementary one to seek the truth, or to do no harm, or to support democracy, or to help the po

<br> Can anyone doubt that economists need a good dousing in ethics? George DeMartino does just that. He does so, not in anger, but with the calm and persuasive tone of an author who knows his subjects and gives full airing to those who may disagree. He has written a book on ethics that is itself ethical. It is a valuable and novel contribution to a profession that keeps repeating its errors. How do we make them listen? --Jeff Madrick, author of The Case for Big Government<br> DeMartino has broken with the economist's oath never to discuss oaths. It's about time. Economists are taught in graduate school that about ethics one should not dispute, which gives them a warrant to ignore ethics in their science. The teaching is philosophically naive and politically silly. A science of the economy, and certainly an economist advising the prince, depends on ethical commitments, such as the elementary one to seek the truth, or to do no harm, or to support democracy, or to help the poor. DeMartin

Author Information

George F. DeMartino is Professor of Economics at the Josef Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver. He writes widely on ethics and economics, as well as labor issues and political economy theory. He is the author of Global Economy, Global Justice: Theoretical Objections and Policy Alternatives to Neoliberalism.

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available