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Empirical Research on Ethical Preferences: How Popular is Prioritarianism?

Author

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  • Erik Schokkaert

    (KU Leuven - Catholic University of Leuven = Katholieke Universiteit Leuven)

  • Benoît Tarroux

    (GATE Lyon Saint-Étienne - Groupe d'Analyse et de Théorie Economique Lyon - Saint-Etienne - ENS de Lyon - École normale supérieure de Lyon - Université de Lyon - UL2 - Université Lumière - Lyon 2 - UCBL - Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1 - Université de Lyon - UJM - Université Jean Monnet - Saint-Étienne - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

Abstract

We survey the empirical literature on ethical preferences, covering both survey studies and incentivized laboratory experiments. Crucial axioms such as the Pigou-Dalton transfer principle are not accepted by a large fraction of the subjects. Moreover, in formulating their distributive preferences, subjects attach much importance to the sources of income differences. Their preferences behind a veil of ignorance do not coincide with their preferences in the position of a social planner. These results suggest that prioritarian policy proposals will not necessarily be supported by a majority of the population. Although the majority opinion does not necessarily reflect the ethically desirable perspective, the empirical results still raise some interesting normative challenges

Suggested Citation

  • Erik Schokkaert & Benoît Tarroux, 2022. "Empirical Research on Ethical Preferences: How Popular is Prioritarianism?," Post-Print hal-04779424, HAL.
  • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-04779424
    DOI: 10.1017/9781108691734.010
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://hal.science/hal-04779424v1
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Rory Allanson & Matthew Robson, 2024. "Estimating Public Preferences on Population Health Ethics," Tinbergen Institute Discussion Papers 24-067/V, Tinbergen Institute.

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