Revealing altruism

Nancy Folbre, Robert E. Goodin

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    21 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    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.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)1-25
    Number of pages25
    JournalReview of Social Economy
    Volume62
    Issue number1
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Mar 2004

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