UpDate - Vol. 15, No. 11, Page 3
November 9, 1995
Author honored; David Haslett's work selected book of the year

     David Haslett examines economic systems from a philosophical
perspective in his new book Capitalism with Morality, which was named
Book of the Year by the North American Association for Social
Philosophy at the organization's August meeting in Maine.
     The book also has attracted international attention, with the
philosophy professor invited to speak on its themes at an
international conference-dealing with economics, philosophy and
political science-at the University of Antwerp next year.
     A review in the American Political Science Review said of
Capitalism with Morality, "This is a bold and a worthy book....
[Haslett's] range is wide and his footing mostly sure."
     In the book, Haslett develops moral theory using two premises as
a basis for examining economic systems. His first premise is the
importance of the goal of achieving overall, human well-being, which
involves norms and values that contribute to an equitable, free
society. His second premise is that equal consideration should be
given to everyone's well-being, without regard to race or sex or other
classifications. Haslett defines this approach as "indirect"
utilitarianism, and uses the principles of morality that follow from
this approach to judge economic systems.
     From this basis, Haslett examines libertarianism and socialism
and discusses their flaws. Morally, he comes out on the side of a
modified capitalism with its strengths of freedom and productivity.
"Unfortunately, capitalism, with the vast inequalities to which it
gives rise, does not do nearly as well in realizing two vital ideals
of equality: equal access for everyone to the basic necessities of
life and equal opportunity," Haslett wrote.
     He points out that many of the deficiencies of capitalism can be
changed without losing the productivity and freedom that are lacking
in other economic systems.
     One suggestion is to limit the amount an individual can inherit
during his or her lifetime.
     Another recommendation calls for more experimentation with worker
control so that those who have the means for production, those who do
the actual work of production and those who control production are one
and the same group.
     He also calls upon government programs as a means of
redistributing wealth, providing a safety net for all citizens of
basic necessities, including universal, comprehensive health care,
while at the same time keeping in place the incentives to produce and
work.
     Other policies he discusses are doing away with the minimum wage
and vastly increasing the use of earned income tax credits.
     "I am not approaching this topic as an economist, but as a
philosopher, concerned with ethics and the general well-being of
society. My conclusion is that capitalism should be changed, but that
we should work within the system for reforms to provide equal
opportunities for the economically disadvantaged," Haslett said.
     Haslett is a graduate of Washington and Lee University and
Harvard Law School and has a doctorate in philosophy from the
University of Minnesota. He joined the University of Delaware faculty
in 1970 and is the author of two other books, Moral Rightness and
Equal Consideration.
                                                   -Sue Swyers Moncure