TY - JOUR
T1 - Revealing altruism
AU - Folbre, Nancy
AU - Goodin, Robert E.
PY - 2004/3
Y1 - 2004/3
N2 - The traditional neoclassical economic view that preferences are “inscrutable” and can only be revealed through behavior would, if true, make it difficult for altruists to make efficient decisions. We question whether altruism should be defined as a preference that can be revealed, or indeed, as a preference at all. One alternative is to treat altruism as a disposition that can be strengthened or weakened by social institutions.
AB - The traditional neoclassical economic view that preferences are “inscrutable” and can only be revealed through behavior would, if true, make it difficult for altruists to make efficient decisions. We question whether altruism should be defined as a preference that can be revealed, or indeed, as a preference at all. One alternative is to treat altruism as a disposition that can be strengthened or weakened by social institutions.
KW - Altruism as a disposition
KW - Altruism as a preference
KW - Institutions
KW - Neoclassical economics
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=1842478930&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/0034676042000183808
DO - 10.1080/0034676042000183808
M3 - Article
SN - 0034-6764
VL - 62
SP - 1
EP - 25
JO - Review of Social Economy
JF - Review of Social Economy
IS - 1
ER -