Abstract
At present, all existing so-called theories of justice, except only for utilitarianism, divide the history of humanity into long years of hopeless night and a few minutes of long-awaited dawn. Any theory must be disregarded if it assumes that for centuries people have come to terms with their lack of freedom only because of mental limitations or an unusual strictness of the ruling elite. Of course, 500 or 1000 years ago, as is the case today, many people were dissatisfied with their position in society, but nevertheless the majority of the population of Ancient Egypt, for example, or the Roman Empire considered the established order to be entirely justified. Therefore any theories that are not able to explain historical changes to people’s perceptions of justice must undoubtedly be deemed unrealistic and incorrect. Utilitarianism does not have this disadvantage, but it does have another well-known defect which has to do with the use of the strange and immeasurable concept of utility . It is rather difficult to give a logical explanation of how a concept that is so actively criticized and despised by many economists can continue to be the foundation of all economic science. In my opinion, to this day there have never been any significant barriers preventing the use of personal profit as the primary motive for human behaviour. This will not only restore the position of utilitarianism so undeservedly lost, but also provide an opportunity to solve a number of theoretical issues and will also fill with optimism the conclusions that follow from Arrow’s Impossibility Theorem .
Highlights
Is the Theory of Justice Part of Economic Science?I beg to differ with the opinion of Rothbard (1977) and many other respected economists that economic theory cannot be a source of ethical evaluations and recommendations
Very soon society will support more liberal laws governing intellectual property rights and will consider them fair because more efficient owners can offer society higher profits and higher economic growth. In this example we can see that utilitarianism based on maximization of profit explains the historical changes in people’s perception of justice, does not consider economic rights and freedoms to be an unconditional sign of justice, predicts the future and is based on well-defined desires of individuals
If we assume the main motives of human activity to be happiness, prosperity, satisfaction and lack of suffering, we have to admit that a science such as economics does not exist
Summary
I beg to differ with the opinion of Rothbard (1977) and many other respected economists that economic theory cannot be a source of ethical evaluations and recommendations. Rothbard believed that economists are obliged to maintain a position of ethical neutrality and under no circumstances should they be guided by value judgements They should be interested only in economic processes; they should give recommendations and warn of the possible. If, when purchasing a particular item, a person does not choose the item that will provide more profit or utility, but which the person prefers due to ethical reasons, their level of economic wellbeing will, most likely, decrease. Quick success and global recognition lay in wait for their creators This interest did not appear out of nowhere and was connected with the major political, social and economic changes that took place in virtually all four corners of the world. What was happening? How should we react to this? What were the limits of freedoms? What is a fair society?
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