Moral Limits of the Market

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following arguments suggests that selling Nobel prizes is problematic?

  • It would create a more efficient market for intellectual achievements.
  • It would corrupt the inherent value and social meaning of the prize. (correct)
  • It would encourage more people to strive for excellence.
  • It would increase the number of people who have access to resources.

What is the primary concern regarding the sale of ICU beds?

  • It would ensure that only those who truly need them receive care.
  • It could result in unfair distribution based on ability to pay. (correct)
  • It would streamline the healthcare system.
  • It would lead to a surplus of available beds.

Why would selling votes be considered problematic in a democratic process?

  • It would ensure that only informed citizens participate in elections.
  • It would simplify the election process.
  • It could lead to corruption, allowing the wealthy to manipulate election outcomes. (correct)
  • It would increase voter turnout.

What is a primary ethical concern associated with the idea of selling babies?

<p>It would commodify children and create unfair distribution based on wealth. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the 'eugenic concern' related to a market for babies?

<p>It raises concerns about valuing babies based on traits and pursuing 'perfection'. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary concern related to the 'seller' in the context of prostitution?

<p>The seller may not receive fair compensation. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the context of objections to prostitution, what does 'undue inducement' refer to?

<p>The prostitute is paid an amount that overcomes their better judgment. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the discussion, what role might a 'pimp' play in the context of prostitution, and what concern does this raise?

<p>A pimp forces individuals into prostitution; raising concerns about coercion. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Concerning surrogacy, what is a primary worry about being in a market relationship for this service?

<p>The surrogate's feelings or behaviors towards the child might be altered. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why might putting a price tag on surrogacy services 'crowd out' potential surrogates?

<p>Because it may commercialize a service that some provide altruistically. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the essence of the 'shortsighted' argument against allowing the sale of surrogacy services?

<p>The potential surrogate might not fully understand the long-term implications. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the concept of 'justified paternalism' suggest in the context of surrogacy?

<p>There are times we should restrict the sale of goods to prevent someone from making a bad choice. (E)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the 'corruption of social meaning' argument against commodifying certain goods?

<p>Commodification can undermine the intrinsic value or social significance of a good. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the key difference between 'exploitation' and 'undue inducement' in the context of potentially harmful transactions?

<p>Exploitation involves offering too little money, while undue inducement involves offering an amount that clouds judgment. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following scenarios illustrates a potential 'unfair allocation' concern related to commodification?

<p>A life-saving drug is priced so high that only the wealthy can afford it. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The discussion suggests which of the following about the concept of 'altruistic' supply of a good or service?

<p>Introducing a market may decrease the altruistic supply. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best characterizes the argument that a market for babies might lead to valuing them based on certain traits?

<p>It raises concerns about discrimination and commodification. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the context of objections to prostitution, when is a deal 'too good' for the seller?

<p>When the prostitute is paid an amount that overcomes their better judgment. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In relation to the ethics of surrogacy, which of the following is the most accurate definition of 'justified paternalism'?

<p>Intervening to protect the surrogate from her own potentially harmful shortsightedness. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following exemplifies the concept of 'unfair distribution of the good' when applied to the commodification of ICU beds?

<p>ICU beds are exclusively available to those who can afford to pay a premium, thereby excluding lower-income patients. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What constitutes the most critical challenge related to the 'shortsighted' argument against the commodification of surrogacy?

<p>The long-term emotional implications for the surrogate may not be fully understood at the time of agreement. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Concerning the commodification of an individual's ability to vote, which option accurately explains the concept of 'externality'?

<p>The sale of votes could lead to an unfair election that does not reflect the actual preferences of the population. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In what way might offering money for surrogacy services lead to existing participants reacting with a negative attitude?

<p>As the service has been commercialized, participants may be resentful. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

If citizens are able to pay money in return for votes, what is the most concerning possibility?

<p>Those with access to money would essentially be able to purchase political power. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the discussion around commodification, what is an accurate definition of 'exploitation'?

<p>When another party is taken advantage of through disproportionate compensation. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Consider the potential of commodifying babies for sale. Which of the following statements poses the biggest concern?

<p>It diminishes the intrinsic value. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why might a 'pimp' be cause for concern, in respect to the commodification of prostitution?

<p>They may coerce individuals into prostitution. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A prevalent idea is that a surrogate mother might repress her feelings of attachment. What is the primary concern around this?

<p>It may disrupt or harm the bonding process with the child she is carrying. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

When considering commodification versus altruism, are there likely to be unintended consequences? Pick the most accurate answer.

<p>Yes, commodification may have adverse effects over altruism. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Consider a scenario where a life saving drug is only available to the wealthy. What is the name for this problem?

<p>Unfair allocation. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the context of prostitution, when is a deal considered 'too good' for one participant

<p>The price is so astronomical it overcomes better judgement. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the term when an individual in a surrogacy situation can not fully visualize the long-term future effects, and therefore makes a choice that they otherwise wouldn't?

<p>Shortsightedness. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Pick the most accurate reason why a 'pimp' should cause concern.

<p>A pimp may force an individual down the path of prostitution. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Exploitation

A situation where someone is taken advantage of, often due to vulnerability or lack of alternatives.

Selling ICU Beds

The practice of using markets to ration scare resources in healthcare, like ICU beds, may lead to inequitable distribution, favoring those who can afford to pay rather than those with the greatest medical need.

Coercion

The act of compelling someone to act against their will by using force, threats, or other forms of pressure.

Selling Nobel Prizes

Using a prize to influence someone inappropriately.

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Undue Inducement

The practice of influencing choices through excessively attractive offers or incentives.

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Unfair Allocation

The unfair treatment of individuals or groups based on certain characteristics.

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Selling Votes

When a person's vote is treated as a commodity to be bought or sold, rather than as a fundamental right and expression of their political preference.

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Externalized Cost

The external costs or consequences of an action that are not fully accounted for by the decision-maker.

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Selling Prostitution

The practice of commercializing sexual services, potentially leading to the exploitation of vulnerable individuals.

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Eugenics

The practice of selecting desired heritable traits in humans, often raising ethical concerns about discrimination and valuing individuals based on specific characteristics.

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Surrogacy

An agreement where a woman carries and delivers a child for another person or couple.

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Price Tag (on Services)

Assigning a monetary value, which may deter participation due to moral or emotional considerations.

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Shortsighted

Making decisions without considering the long-term consequences.

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Justified Paternalism

The act of limiting someone's liberty or autonomy, against their will, for their own good.

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Study Notes

Moral Limits of the Market

  • Explores which things should or should not be sold

Items Debated in a Just Society

  • Surrogacy
  • Sperm
  • Eggs
  • Babies
  • Kidneys
  • ICU beds
  • Votes
  • Nobel Prizes
  • Sexual services (prostitution)
  • Ability/obligation to serve in the military

Arguments Against Selling Nobel Prizes

  • Selling it takes away the inherent value
  • The value is that it comes from merit and the prize should be deserved, not bought

Arguments Against Selling ICU Beds

  • There would be an unfair distribution of the good
  • Allocation would be based on ability to pay rather than need

Arguments Against Selling Votes

  • This opens the door to corruption in the democratic process
  • Whoever has the money could buy an election
  • A vote is meant to be a registering of one's preference
  • Selling votes, it would become a chip to be traded

Arguments Against Selling Babies

  • Monetizing a baby is difficult to accept
  • People who can pay would then have the babies, which is not desired

Concerns with Selling Babies

  • It corrupts the social meaning of how a child is valued
  • A child should be valued not as a commodity, but something else
  • There are concerns about unfair allocation and distribution
  • There are concerns about exploitation
  • Babies that are bought and sold would be different than in a non-market scenario
  • What babies were most desirable would be different from the babies who are available for adoption now

Market for Babies and Eugenics

  • A market for babies might attach certain value
  • Some babies would be worth more than others
  • There are concerns about valuing people based on their traits
  • Market would promote perfectionism rather than giving them the kind of respect they're due merely as a person

Arguments Against Prostitution

  • Poor women would be forced into it because they have no other alternative economically
  • The seller is being wronged or harmed in such a way
  • There are concerns about exploitation, coercion, and undue inducement

Concerns about Prostitution

  • A circumstance could arise where a woman would be forced into prostitution because a deal is too good for her, she could be paid too much
  • A woman needs money and therefore will accept a very low amount of money to be a prostitute

Prostitution and the Seller

  • Shifting the focus to the seller, it is important to consider that the person entering into prostitution can actually be simply the commodity as opposed to also being the seller
  • Someone like a pimp is pushing them, which is a little bit more like coercion

Concerns About Surrogacy

  • Focus on the rights that the seller has
  • There are different kinds of surrogacy
  • Concerns about being biologically related to the child or not biologically related

Market Relationship and the Child

  • Being in a market relationship might alter the way in which you think about your relationship to the child
  • Women are asked to basically repress their feelings of maternal attachment and love for the child they're gestating
  • It may alter your behavior in ways that are different
  • If you're carrying your own child, you might behave in one way. If you're caring for profit, you might behave in a different way.

Price Tag on Surrogacy

  • Putting a price tag on this service would actually cause some people to react negatively to it and not want to participate in the process
  • Attaching a price tag to it might crowd out people
  • People might be turned off knowing it's for sale, and therefore no longer provide it
  • There is a pool of altruistic surrogacy going on, and there may be individuals that if we allow for sale surrogacy, they would no longer participate

Autonomy and Surrogacy

  • It would create a situation where people would have a reason to kind of look out and rule over in a way the autonomy of other people
  • For those nine months, the person with the long term interest in the child is not the person making the short term interest that would affect the child

Decisions and Surrogacy

  • The woman is making a decision to be a surrogate
  • The woman is being shortsighted
  • She thinks she knows what she's getting into, but she doesn't

Justified Paternalism

  • We need to help her not make a bad choice
  • For that reason, we're going to prohibit the buying and selling of the good
  • This objection might say, well, isn't that true of altruistic surrogacy as well?
  • Maybe we should forbid all of surrogacy

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