Archiwum
Filozofii Prawa
i Filozofii Społecznej

Journal of the Polish Section of IVR (ISSN:2082-3304)

IVR

Utility and Wealth-Maximisation: The Philosophical Foundations of the Chicago School of Law and Economics

Dr hab. Beata Polanowska-Sygulska

Jagiellonian University


English abstract: The article discusses the philosophical rootedness of the economic analysis of law. Utilitarianism is identified as the main source of inspiration for the law and economics movement. A brief account of the most important issues that utilitarianism raises is given. A detailed analysis of the complex relationship between utilitarianism and wealth-maximisation is carried out. The affinities and the differences between the two standpoints are specified. The main disparity, i.e. the status of both maximisation precepts is highlighted. The incoherence of R. Posner’s position including his pragmatic argument for wealth maximisation and his commitment to the thesis about ethical convergence is pointed out.

Keywords: economic analysis of law, ethic of productivity, wealth-maximization, pragmatic decision procedure, teleological theory, utilitarianism

Language: Polish

Published: Number 1(2)/2011, pp. 5-14.

Download file: Download
Number of downloads: 179

References:

  1. Brink D., Utilitarian Morality and the Personal Point of View, „Journal of Philosophy” 1986/8.
  2. Cooter R., Ulen T., Law and Economics, Boston 2004.
  3. Dworkin R., Biorąc prawa poważnie, Warszawa 1998.
  4. Kymlicka W., Współczesna filozofia polityczna, Kraków 1998.
  5. Lukes S., Niezwykłe oświecenie profesora Caritata, Warszawa 2003.
  6. Nozick R., Anarchia, państwo, utopia, Warszawa 1999.
  7. Parfit D., Reasons and Persons, Oxford-New York 1986.
  8. Polanowska-Sygulska B., Between Utility and Wealth-Maximization, w: Stelmach J., Brożek B., Załuski W. (red.), Studies in the Philosophy of Law: Frontiers of the Economic Analysis of Law, Kraków 2007.
  9. Posner R., Overcoming Law, Cambridge (Mass.)-London 2002.
  10. Posner R., The Problems of Jurisprudence, Cambridge (Mass.)-London 1990.
  11. Rawls J., Teoria sprawiedliwości, Warszawa 1994.
  12. Smart J.J.C., Williams B., Utilitarianism: For & Against, Cambridge 1973.
  13. Stelmach J., Brożek B., Metody prawnicze, Kraków 2004.
  14. Stelmach J., Brożek B., Załuski W. (red.), Studies in the Philosophy of Law: Frontiers of the Economic Analysis of Law, Kraków 2007.
  15. Stelmach J., Sarkowicz R., Filozofia prawa XIX i XX wieku, Kraków 1998.
  16. Williams B., Moral Luck. Philosophical Papers 1973–1980, Cambridge 1986.
  17. Williams B., Moralność. Wprowadzenie do etyki, Warszawa 2000.