In law it is common to proclaim that an action is just if it brings about more good than bad. In economics utility is the benefit one receives from an action. It is assumed that a rational actor will seek to maximize utility. So suppose that as Michael Sandel proposes, there are five people stranded on a life raft and they decide to eat one person. Four people benefit at the cost of one person, so this action is both just and utility maximizing. Clearly, behaving in this manner is at odds with economic and moral ideals.
I have been profoundly influenced by David Gould's, Two Sides of the Moon. Since October, I have spent most of my time researching models of equity and justice. This summer I want to write a manuscript about Two Sides employing economic models and philosophy. Two Sides motivated this post.
I'm afraid that both the quantity and quality of my posts have deteriorated as I dig deeper into my writing. I am considering taking a three-month vacation from this blog to pursue writing my manuscript.
Along this line, do you think that blogs have diminished in content and frequency in general?
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