The tragic science: how economists cause harm (even as they aspire to do good) by George F. DeMartino
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15678/SER.2022.2.001Keywords:
harm, causality, moral geometry, cost-benefit analysis, uncertainty, welfare economicsAbstract
Book review: DeMartino, G. F. (2022). The Tragic Science: How economists Cause Harm (Even as They Aspire to Do Good). University of Chicago Press (pp. 272)
This paper discusses the book The tragic science: how economists cause harm (even as they aspire to do good) by M. George F. DeMartino. The Author criticizes the moral geometry used by economists to evaluate harm, arguing for a more multifaceted understanding of harm that considers epistemic uncertainty. While the book under review lacks a systematic study of the moral dimension of harm, the Author’s versatility and scholarship are admirable, making it an inspiring read for both casual readers and professionals in economics and philosophy.
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DeMartino, G. F. (2016). “Econogenic harm”: On the nature of and responsibility for the harm economists do as they try to do good. In G. F. DeMartino, & D. McCloskey (Eds.), The Oxford Handbook of Professional Economic Ethics (pp. 71–98). Oxford Handbooks. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199766635.013.005
DeMartino, G. F. (2011). The economist’s oath: On the need for and content of professional economic ethics. Oxford University Press. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199730568.003.0007
DeMartino, G. F. (2022). The tragic science: how economists cause harm (even as they aspire to do good). University of Chicago Press DOI: https://doi.org/10.7208/chicago/9780226821245.001.0001
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