Thomas Nagel

Liam Murphy

Liam B. Murphy

In a capitalist economy, taxes are the most important instrument by which the political system puts into practice a conception of economic or distributive justice. This book aims to bring together the philosophical discussions of justice with the complex debates about tax policy that go on in practical politics, in economics, and in law.

Taxes and Justice

The Myth of Ownership

Moral Demands in Nonideal Theory (Oxford Ethics Series)

Is there a limit to the legitimate demands of morality? In particular, is there a limit to people's responsibility to promote the well-being of others, either directly or via social institutions? Utilitarianism admits no such limit, and is for that reason often said to be an unacceptably demanding moral and political view. In this original new study, Murphy argues that the charge of excessive demands amounts to little more than an affirmation of the status quo. The real problem with utilitarianism is that it makes unfair demands on people who comply with it in our world of nonideal compliance. Murphy shows that this unfairness does not arise on a collective understanding of our responsibility for others' well being. Thus, according to Murphy, while there is no general problem to be raised about the extent of moral demands, there is a pressing need to acknowledge the collective nature of the demands of beneficence.

Liam B. Murphy

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