Classifying theories of welfare

This paper argues that we should replace the common classification of theories of welfare into the categories of hedonism, desire theories, and objective list theories. The tripartite classification is objectionable because it is unduly narrow and it is confusing: it excludes theories of welfare tha...

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Main Author: Woodard, Christopher
Format: Article
Published: Springer 2013
Subjects:
Online Access:https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/2662/
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author Woodard, Christopher
author_facet Woodard, Christopher
author_sort Woodard, Christopher
building Nottingham Research Data Repository
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description This paper argues that we should replace the common classification of theories of welfare into the categories of hedonism, desire theories, and objective list theories. The tripartite classification is objectionable because it is unduly narrow and it is confusing: it excludes theories of welfare that are worthy of discussion, and it obscures important distinctions. In its place, the paper proposes two independent classifications corresponding to a distinction emphasised by Roger Crisp: a four-category classification of enumerative theories (about which items constitute welfare), and a four-category classification of explanatory theories (about why these items constitute welfare).
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spelling nottingham-26622020-05-04T20:18:55Z https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/2662/ Classifying theories of welfare Woodard, Christopher This paper argues that we should replace the common classification of theories of welfare into the categories of hedonism, desire theories, and objective list theories. The tripartite classification is objectionable because it is unduly narrow and it is confusing: it excludes theories of welfare that are worthy of discussion, and it obscures important distinctions. In its place, the paper proposes two independent classifications corresponding to a distinction emphasised by Roger Crisp: a four-category classification of enumerative theories (about which items constitute welfare), and a four-category classification of explanatory theories (about why these items constitute welfare). Springer 2013-09 Article PeerReviewed Woodard, Christopher (2013) Classifying theories of welfare. Philosophical Studies, 165 (3). pp. 787-803. ISSN 1573-0883 Welfare; Typology: Explanatory question; Enumerative question. http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs11098-012-9978-4 doi:10.1007/s11098-012-9978-4 doi:10.1007/s11098-012-9978-4
spellingShingle Welfare; Typology: Explanatory question; Enumerative question.
Woodard, Christopher
Classifying theories of welfare
title Classifying theories of welfare
title_full Classifying theories of welfare
title_fullStr Classifying theories of welfare
title_full_unstemmed Classifying theories of welfare
title_short Classifying theories of welfare
title_sort classifying theories of welfare
topic Welfare; Typology: Explanatory question; Enumerative question.
url https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/2662/
https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/2662/
https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/2662/