Equality-tempered prioritarianism. (February 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dorsey, Dale
• Is Part Of: Politics, philosophy & economics. Volume 13:Number 1(2014:Feb.)
• Page Start: 45
• Page End: 61
• Publication Date: 2014-02
• Subjects: prioritarianism -- equality -- egalitarianism -- leximin -- sufficientarianism; Social sciences and ethics -- Periodicals; Philosophy and social sciences -- Periodicals; 320.05
• DOI: 10.1177/1470594X13483479
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1470-594X

Abstract

In this paper, I present and explore an alternative to a standard prioritarian axiology. Equality-tempered prioritarianism holds that the value of welfare increases should be balanced against the value of equality. However, given that, under prioritarianism, the value of marginal welfare benefits decreases as the welfare of beneficiaries increases, equality-tempered prioritarianism holds that the intrinsic value of equality will be sufficient to alter a prioritarian verdict only in cases in which welfare benefits are granted to the very well-off. I argue that this view, suitably refined, solves a persistent problem for prioritarianism, and is superior to alternatives.