Honors Thesis- Social Values and Public Decisions: Philosophical & Economic Perspectives

Program Overview

This philosophy and economics course explores ethical considerations in public policy evaluation, addressing topics like social well-being, fairness, and rights. It examines the role of these values in decision-making and their impact on policy issues ranging from taxation to climate change. Open to Commonwealth College juniors and seniors, the course culminates in a thesis that applies these concepts to practical public decisions.

Program Outline

Outline:

• Course Description: This course will combine readings and methods from philosophy and economics to address ethical questions that are relevant to the goals and evaluation of public policies.
• Course Topics:
• Assessing social outcomes, policies, and institutions by reference to well-being, fairness, rights, or other criteria.
• Defining and measuring well-being, fairness, and rights.
• The relationship between inequality and outcomes.
• Measuring the fairness of a society.
• Incorporating consideration of future generations in policy decisions.
• Balancing multiple values in policy decisions.
• Course Relevance: These questions of value are relevant to a broad variety of policy issues associated with topics such as taxation, immigration, climate change, democracy, and the boundaries of markets.
• Student Project: Students will write a thesis relating to questions of value or their application to public decisions using methods and ideas from philosophy or economics.
• Course Schedule:
• Start Date:
September 3, 2024
• End Date:
December 10, 2024

Teaching:

• Instructor: Kevin Young

Other:

• Eligibility: Open to Commonwealth College students only.
• Department Consent: Department consent required.
• Preference: Preference given to CHC Juniors and Seniors using this course toward their Capstone Experience requirement.