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- Title
Moral Norms, Adaptive Preferences, and Hedonic Psychology.
- Authors
Masur, Jonathan S.
- Abstract
In a series of important papers published roughly twenty years ago, Professor Robert Cooter developed a comprehensive economic theory of moral norms. He explained the value of those norms, described the process by which norms are adopted, and offered a set of predictions regarding the circumstances under which an individual will choose to adopt a particular moral norm. This brief Article applies behavioral law and economics and hedonic psychology to expand upon Professor Cooter's path-breaking theory. In particular, understanding welfare in hedonic terms — rather than preference-satisfaction terms — suggests a multitude of further situations in which individuals will justifiably seek to internalize moral norms. The hedonic approach to welfare then further suggests an enhanced role for the government to play in encouraging the adoption of welfare-enhancing norms. Cooter's theory, combined with modern understandings of welfare and human behavior, thus offers powerful predictive and prescriptive possibilities.
- Subjects
HEDONIC treadmill theory; COOTER, Robert; LEGAL evidence; JUDICIAL process; LEGAL procedure
- Publication
Theoretical Inquiries in Law, 2021, Vol 22, Issue 2, p35
- ISSN
1565-1509
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1515/til-2021-0016