Ethics and Public Policy: A Philosophical Inquiry

by Jonathan Wolff

Ethics and Public A Philosophical Inquiry, second edition subjects important and controversial areas of public policy to philosophical scrutiny. Jonathan Wolff, a renowned philosopher and veteran of many public committees, introduces and assesses core problems and controversies in public policy from a philosophical standpoint. Each chapter focuses on an important area of public policy where there is considerable moral and political disagreement. Topics discussed • Can we defend inflicting suffering on animals in scientific experiments for human benefit? • What limits to gambling can be achieved through legislation? • What assumptions underlie drug policy? Can we justify punishing those who engage in actions that harm only themselves? • What is so bad about crime? What is the point of punishment? Other chapters discuss health care, disability, safety, and the free market. Throughout the book, fundamental questions for both philosopher and policy maker what are the best methods for connecting philosophy and public policy? Should thinking about public policy be guided by an ‘an ideal world’ or the world we live in now? If there are ‘knock down’ arguments in philosophy why are there none in public policy? Revised throughout to reflect changes in policy and research, this second edition includes four new chapters, on risky new technologies, the future of work, poverty, and immigration. Each chapter concludes with ‘Lessons for Philosophy’ making this book not only an ideal introduction for those coming to philosophy, ethics, or public policy for the first time, but also a vital resource for anyone grappling with the moral complexity underlying policy debates.

Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction, Politics

344 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Jonathan Wolff is a Professor specialising in political philosophy at University College London, in England. Wolff earned his MPhil from UCL under the direction of G.A. Cohen. He is the secretary of the British Philosophical Association and honorary secretary of the Aristotelian Society, which publishes Proceedings of the Aristotelian Society. Recently, Wolff's work has specialized in disadvantage and equality and public policy decision making.

Reviews

[Julius · Rating 3 out of 5]

Der Autor hat in verschiedenen Gremien für die britische Regierung gearbeitet und sich vom Standpunkt der Philosophie unterschiedlichen Gesetzgebungen genähert. Darunter gehören zum Beispiel Glücksspiel, Tierversuche für Kosmetik und Medizin und Drogenpolitik.

Er vertritt einen maximal pragmatischen Ansatz.

Das Buch ist insofern interessant, als dass es die Argumente beider Seiten einer Debatte systematisch herleitet und einordnet. Das Buch ist im Grunde eine einzige Veranschaulichung der philosophisch-argumentatorischen Herangehensweise.

Jedes Kapitel schließt mit "Lessons for Philosophy" ab. Das wiederum ist meiner Meinung nach ein wenig zu oberflächlich und regt kein weiteres Interesse an den Grundlagen der philosophischen Positionen oder Weltsichten an.

[Ham · Rating 4 out of 5]

really interesting book

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall I found this to be a good read for flexing the philosophical muscle, and it's been awhile since I've used mine to the extent of topics covered in this book. (For the present time my philosophical questions center around, the purpose of life and other spiritual conundrums).

Subjects of inquiry include:
CH 1: Scientific experiments on animals
CH 2: Gambling
CH 3: Drugs
CH 4: Safety
CH 5: Crime & Punishment
CH 6: Health
CH 7: Disability
CH 8: The free market

Chapters that proved intellectual thoughts included, scientific experiments on animals and drugs. The most intriguing subject matter to me was crime and punishment - in looking at the "roles" of prison's.

[Theresa Sl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Making the link and reflecting on the interaction between political theory and public policy is an interesting, under-explored subject. Wolff makes a useful undertaking as such. Many policy areas are explored as examples, but at some points arguments should have been more elaborate, explaining why a topic was investigated in a certain way. This made the conclusions for public policy and political theory not entirely convincing, as Wolff adds more and more examples to try to make a point. I would have liked more comprehensive arguments and relatedness between the chapters.

[Joseph · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good overview of philosophical approaches to many different public policy issues. Wolff makes no pretensions to solving public policy problems, but he does a good job of clarifying them without wandering too deep in the weeds. He does like to go off on tangents, but they are usually fruitful.