<研究論文(原著論文)>Against Always Benefiting the Greater Number

Abstract

One of the most pressing problems in both ethics and economics is how we ought to distribute scarce, indivisible goods. This paper considers a particular variant of this problem, namely when each and every potential beneficiary has an equally strong claim on an equal good, and criticizes a prominent solution to this problem. Many prominent theories, both consequentialist and nonconsequentialist, claim that in such cases, you are morally required to give the benefit to as many people as possible. I will argue that always acting according to these prominent theories can lead to objectionable long-term discrimination and unfairness.