NCube/papyrus huggingface dataset:
Well-Being Freedom and The Possibility of Public-Provision Unit in Global Context

The purpose of this paper is, first, to investigate the interconnections of substantive freedoms, which are indispensable for every individual to “lead the kind of lives they have reason to value” (Sen, 1999b, p.10,18), and which have legitimate and ethical reasons to be publicly secured, second, to investigate a conception of public-provision unit that embodies “the right to well-being freedom”, and a conception of decision-making unit that corresponds to it, based on the perspective of Sen’s capability theory and its extension, comparing with that of Rawls’ Theory of Justice and A Law of People. If we intend to construct such a public-provision unit, which conducts redistribution as a whole, and which receives every individual who cannot belong to any fixed local group, what kind of a body should we assume as a public-provision unit? And further, what kind of a body should we assume as a decision-making unit, which is responsible for deciding or revising the basic conceptions of public provision unit?

Keyphrases: Philosophy, Ethics, Economics, Freedom, Capability, Needs, Responsibility, Agreement, Incompleteness
A Moral Stakeholder Theory of the Firm

To be a coherent and genuinely alternative conception to the shareholder model, any moral stakeholder theory must meet the following conditions: (1) It must be an ethical theory; (2) It must identify a limited group as stakeholders; (3) The group must be identified on morally relevant grounds; (4) Stakeholder claims must be non-universal; (5) And not held against everyone. A principle for identifying the stakeholder is suggested as a person who has much to lose – financially, socially, or psychologically – by the failure of the firm. The emerging picture contrasts sharply with the conventional conception of the firm.

Keyphrases: Philosophy, Ethics, Economics
Economic Incentives and Liberal Equality

In order to assess to the degree to which the provision of economic incentives can result in justified inequalities, we need to distinguish between compensatory incentive payments and non-compensatory incentive payments. From a liberal egalitarian perspective, economic inequalities traceable to the provision of compensatory incentive payments are generally justifiable. However, economic inequalities created by the provision of non-compensatory incentive payments are more problematic. I argue that in non-ideal circumstances justice may permit and even require the provision of non-compensatory incentives despite the fact that those who receive non-compensatory payments are not entitled to them. In some circumstances, justice may require us to accede to unreasonable demands for incentive payments by hard bargainers. This leads to a kind of paradox: from a systemic point of view, non-compensatory incentive payments can be justified even though those who receive them have no just claim to them.

Keyphrases: Philosophy, Ethics, Economics
Analyse bayésienne et élicitation d’opinions d’experts en analyse de risques
et particulièrement dans le cas de l’amiante chrysotile

L’appréciation de la puissance cancérogène des fibres d’amiante chrysotile repose en grande partie sur des jugements subjectifs et incertains des experts et des analystes en raison des résultats hétérogènes et équivoques d’études épidémiologiques et toxicologiques sérieuses. L’approche probabiliste bayésienne en évaluation de risques peut formaliser l’impact des jugements subjectifs et de leurs incertitudes sur les estimations de risques, mais elle est encore peu utilisée en santé publique. Le présent travail examine la possibilité d’appliquer l’approche bayésienne dans une récente élicitation d’opinions d’experts pour estimer la toxicité du chrysotile, le degré de consensus et de divergence, ainsi que les niveaux d’incertitude des experts. Les estimations des experts concordaient assez bien sur la différence de toxicité entre chrysotile et amphiboles pour les mésothéliomes. Pour le cancer du poumon, les évaluations probabilistes étaient bien plus disparates. Dans ce cas, les jugements des experts semblaient influencés à différents degrés par des biais heuristiques, surtout les heuristiques d’affect et d’ancrage liés à la controverse du sujet et à l’hétérogénéité des données. Une méthodologie rigoureuse de préparation des experts à l’exercice d’élicitation aurait pu réduire l’impact des biais et des heuristiques sur le panel. Characterizing the carcinogenic potency of chrysotile asbestos fibres relies a great deal on subjective and uncertain judgements by experts and analysts, given heterogeneous and equivocal results of important epidemiological and toxicological studies. The probabilistic Bayesian approach in risk assessments quantifies these subjective judgements and their uncertainties, along with their impact on risk estimations, but it is rarely used in the public health context. This report examines how the Bayesian approach could have been applied to a recent elicitation of experts’ opinions to estimate the toxicity of chrysotile asbestos, the degree of convergence and divergence, as well as the uncertainty levels of these experts. The experts’ estimations on the relative toxicity of chrysotile and amphibole asbestos were similar in the case of mesothelioma. However, in the case of lung cancer, the heterogeneity of the studies resulted in diverging and incompatible probabilistic evaluations. The experts’ judgements seemed influenced by heuristic biases, particularly the affect and anchor heuristics associated with a controversial topic and to heterogeneous data. If the elicitation process had been prepared following a rigorous methodology, these heuristics and biases could have been mitigated.

Keyphrases: bayésien, heuristique, expert, élicitation, amiantes, toxicité, expert, expert, bayesian, asbestos, heuristic, expert, elicitation, toxicity
Amibes à potentiel pathogène dans les unités dentaires

Il a été bien documenté que les différentes canalisations des unités de soins dentaires contiennent un épais biofilm. Ce biofilm est constitué entre autres de bactéries, mais aussi d’amibes. Certaines amibes ont un potentiel pathogène et peuvent causer des infections graves. Deux cas d’infections amibiennes et possiblement reliées aux unités dentaires ont retenu notre attention et sont à l’origine du présent projet. L’identification morphologique des amibes afin de déterminer si elles présentent un potentiel pathogène ou non est une tâche ardue, même pour les protozoologistes chevronnés. Nous avons donc utilisé la réaction de polymérase en chaîne (PCR) pour identifier les amibes. Des nouvelles amorces ont été élaborées pour détecter les amibes des genres Acanthamoeba ainsi que Naegleria. Des échantillons d’eau et de terre ont été prélevés dans l’environnement, et des échantillons d’eau et de biofilm ont été prélevés dans les unités dentaires. Une partie de chaque échantillon a été mise en culture selon une méthode améliorée pour une identification morphologique, et l’autre partie a été soumise à un PCR direct. Des Acanthamoebae et/ou des Naegleriae ont été détectées dans 100% des échantillons, mais les espèces varient d’un échantillon à l’autre. Des amibes à potentiel pathogènes sont détectables dans les unités dentaires ainsi que dans l’environnement, et celles-ci pourraient représenter un risque pour la santé de certains individus. It has been well documented that the various tubing of a dental unit are covered with a thick biofilm. This biofilm mostly consists of bacteria, but amoebae can be found within the biofilm as well. Some amoebae are potential pathogens and may cause serious infections. Two cases of amoebic infections that were possibly linked with dental units drew our attention and stimulated our researches. Morphologic identification of amoebae in order to determine their possible pathogenicity requires much expertise, and is even difficult for proficient protozoologists. Therefore, the use of PCR is essential to detect potentially pathogenic amoebae with subjectivity. We elaborated new primers for the detection of Acanthamoeba spp. and Naegleria spp. Samples of water and dirt were taken in the environment, and samples of water and biofilm were taken in dental units. A part of each samples was cultivated for morphological identification, when a second part was utilized for PCR identification. Acanthamoebae and/or Naegleriae were detected in 100% of our samples, but the species varied from one sample to another. Potentially pathogenic amoebae were detected in dental units and in the environment, which could represent a health risk for some individuals.

Keyphrases: Amibe, Acanthamoeba, Naegleria, Unités Dentaires, PCR, Biofilm, Amoeba, Acanthamoeba, Acanthamoeba, Naegleria, PCR, Biofilm, Amoeba, Acanthamoeba, Dental Unit
The Money Question and the Good Life

This paper proposes a theory of the good life for use in answering the question how much money the rich should spend on fighting poverty. The paper moves from the abstract to the concrete. To begin with, it investigates various ways to get an answer to the question what is good, and finds itself drawn to objective theories of the good. It then develops, taking Bernard Williams and Martha Nussbaum as its guides, a broad outline of a theory of the good. It holds that something evil happens to people if they do not have a real choice from a reasonable number of projects that realize most of their key capacities to a certain degree, and in connection to this it points to the great importance of money. The paper goes on specifically to consider what criticisms of Nussbaum's version of the capability approach are implied in this outline of a theory of the good. Next, it gets more specific and asks how much money the rich can give -and how they can be restricted in spending their money- without suffering any evil. It does three suggestions: the tithe suggestion, the ecological (or footprint) suggestion, and the fair trade suggestion. To conclude, the paper returns to the question how much money the rich should spend on fighting poverty. Ce papier propose une théorie de la vie bonne en vue de répondre à la question combien d’argent les riches doivent-ils consacrer à la lutte contre la pauvreté. Le papier débute de manière abstraite pour finir sur des aspects concrets. Il commence par une investigation de la question qu’est ce qu’une vie bonne, s’articule autour des théories objectives du bien. Il développe alors, à partir de Bernard Williams et Martha Nussbaum, un large contour de la théorie du bien. Il soutient que quelque chose de mauvais arrive aux personnes si elles n’ont pas un choix réel entre un nombre raisonnable de projets qui réalisent jusqu’à un certain degré la plupart de leurs capacités essentielles. En connexion avec ceci, il souligne la grande importance de la monnaie. Le papier examine les critiques de la version des capabilités proposée par Nussbaum qu’une telle théorie implique. Ensuite, il s’oriente de manière plus spécifique sur la question combien les riches doivent-ils donner-et comment ils peuvent être restreints concernant leurs dépenses- sans souffrir d’aucun mal. Il fait trois suggestions : la suggestion du dixième, la suggestion écologique (ou de l’empreinte écologique), et celle du commerce équitable. Pour conclure, le papier revient sur la question combien les riches doivent-ils consacrer à la lutte contre la pauvreté.

Keyphrases: Philosophy, Ethics, Economics, Good life, Capabilities, pauvreté
Teaching ethics to employees of a state public utilities company in a developing country: A case study

Cette étude de cas est issue d’un module final de formation pour les employés du service public d’une agence de l’eau. Nous explorons les résultats de plusieurs stratégies utilisées pour souligner le besoin de changement dans les comportements individuels et institutionnels en vue d’améliorer les services aux clients. En particulier, nous explorons certaines manières d’ouvrir la discussion sur les pratiques de corruption de manière non-triviale sans offenser les sensibilités ou provoquer l’indifférence. Comme point de départ, il est demandé aux participants de relever les problèmes institutionnels qu’ils caractérisent comme éthiques, même si d’autres problèmes appartiennent à d’autres catégories identifiées plus tard. Pour éviter une approche purement théorique des devoirs et obligations envers les clients, ils sont dérivés de la mission de l’agence telle que définit par la loi qui l’a créée. In this case study of an ethics seminar, taught as the final module in a graduate program for public employees of a water works agency, we explore the results of several strategies used to emphasize the need for changes in personal and institutional behavior in order to improve service to customers. In particular, we explore some ways to openly discuss corrupt practices in a non-trivial manner without offending sensibilities or provoking indifference. As a starting point, participants are asked to point out institutional problems which they characterize as ethical, although some of them are seen later to belong in other categories. To avoid a purely theoretical approach to duties and obligations towards customers, these are derived from the mission of the agency as stated by the law which created it.

Keyphrases: corruption, Philosophy, Ethics, Economics, professional ethics, ethics teaching, institutional change, customers' rights, waterworks
What Is the Point of Development Ethics?

Research and teaching in societal development ethics face potentially four fundamental types of objection: first, that ethics is obvious already; second, that it is instead impossible, on epistemological grounds; third, that it is theoretically possible but in practice fruitless; and fourth, that it is in any case politically insignificant. The paper presents qualified rebuttals of the four objections. In the process of doing so, it builds up a picture of this field of thought and practice: its modes, methods and alternative forms of organization, and some of its pitfalls and potentials, exemplars and achievements. La recherche et l’enseignement en éthique du développement sociétal sont confrontés à quatre types d’objection fondamentales : premièrement, que l’éthique est déjà évidente ; deuxièmement que l’éthique est au contraire impossible, en raison de fondements épistémologiques ; troisièmement que c’est théoriquement possible mais pratiquement sans fruits ; et quatrièmement que c’est dans tous les cas insignifiant politiquement. Ce papier présente des réfutations de ces quatre objections. Il propose alors une image du champ de pensée et de la pratique : ses modes, ses méthodes et ses formes alternatives d’organisation, et certains de ses pièges et potentiels, de ses exemples et aboutissements.

Keyphrases: Philosophy, Ethics, Economics, development ethics, methodology of ethics, impact of ethics
Réflexions préliminaires pour une approche éthique de la gestion des organisations de microfinance

Au cours des vingt dernières années, la microfinance a connu un développement important amenant certaines organisations à se professionnaliser et à croître de manière particulièrement spectaculaire. Aujourd’hui composé d’un grand nombre d’organisations, aux statuts divers et n’ayant pas toujours la même vision des choses, le secteur se trouve à une croisée des chemins où mener une réflexion sur les fondements éthiques des pratiques de gestion développées peut permettre de mieux percevoir les enjeux et les risques encourus. Les quelques réflexions développées ici s’inscrivent dans cette perspective.

Keyphrases: Philosophie, Éthique, Économie
Is microfinance an ethical way to provide financial services to the poor?

Microfinance is increasingly seen as a major development tool. Its promise to help the poor by providing financial services is seen as the major reason for its support. Nevertheless, its ability to effectively reduce poverty is not yet clear, and it generates some unresolved ethical questions. These become even more prominent in the process of commercialization. The impact on poverty is usually measured in financial terms. In this paper, poverty is defined in a broader sense to include deficiency in human and social capital. The article shows that, in this broad sense, microfinance may have negative as well as positive effects on poverty.

Keyphrases: Philosophy, Ethics, Economics, microfinance, commercialization, poverty
Praxiology of evil: Thinking about threats and their effectiveness

Comment rationnellement peut-on imaginer les stratégies de menace, si l’on veut influencer les actions d’autrui? Dans cette conférence l’auteur essaie de montrer que les menaces de coercition ne fonctionnent pas dans des situations duelles sans contexte social. Il montre qu’elles fonctionnent seulement si on ajoute des éléments sociaux comme les institutions. En d’autres termes, les menaces efficientes entre sujets rationnels fonctionnent seulement si elles sont confortées par les institutions. C’est une sorte d’argument Hobbésien qui montre que dans l’état de nature le pouvoir social n’existe pas. Le pouvoir social est une construction sociale How can one rationally imagine the strategies of threat if one wishes to influence the actions of others? In this paper, the author attempts to show that threats of coercion do not function in dual situations without a social context. He shows that they only function if one adds social elements such as institutions. In other words, the effective threats between rational subjects function only if they are reinforced by institutions. It is a type of Hobbesian argument which shows that social power does not exist in the natural state. Social power is a social construction.

Keyphrases: coercition, evil, menace, coercition, Philosophy, Ethics, Economics, threat, wickedness, social institution, méchanceté, cruauté, institution sociale
Market failure, inequality and redistribution

We consider the following question: does market failure justify redistribution? We argue that the general answer to this question is no, in the sense that policies for correcting market failures do not aim at producing a "desirable" income distribution. This follows from the fact that, by construction, market failure is a deviation from "efficiency" that does not involve any notion of a desirable distribution of welfare (or income). However, there are special cases where a "corrective measure" involving redistribution can offset a market failure, so this can provide a form of efficiency- based justification for redistribution.

Keyphrases: philosophy, ethics, economics, positive economics, normative economics, welfare economics, market failure, externality, taxation, social choice, public choice
La difficile prise en compte des inégalités socio- économiques par le commerce équitable: le cas du quinoa andin

Cet article montre que dans le contexte actuel des producteurs de quinoa de l’altiplano du sud de la Bolivie, le commerce équitable n’apparaît pas comme un instrument efficace de réduction des inégalités sociales. Il contribue plutôt à les renforcer. Derrière la façade des marques et labels du commerce équitable, la réalité socio-économique de l’altiplano du Sud de la Bolivie, révèle donc un facteur important de déception par rapport aux attentes des consommateurs. This paper argues that fair trade schemes in the quinoa market of south Bolivia are not an effective instrument to reduce social inequalities. Beyond the façade of fair trade marks and labels, the reality of Bolivia points to an important way in which customer expectations are disappointed.

Keyphrases: philosophie, éthique, économie, Bolivie, Commerce équitable, Inégalités, Bolivia, Fair Trade, Inequalities
Relating Fragile States to Social and Human Fragilities

Fragile States is a way of naming this particular category of states that have weak performance, insufficient service delivery, weak administrative and government power, and lack of legal rules. Little consideration is usually made to the fact that their own societies may also be fragile and easily jeopardised by inappropriate economic measures or external events. Poverty traps and social exclusion, unjust inequalities with lack of equity, feelings of insecurity and vulnerability, usually undermine the social fabric. Moreover, the people bear their own internal fragilities, which are based on the lack of capabilities and recognition, and interfere in the relationships between the groups that constitute the society. Therefore, dealing with the issue of fragility requires to consider various decision levels, from the personal one to the State level. Such an approach could allow fragile states to conceive preventive policies that would avoid the surge of a political crisis resulting from the combination of social conflict and individual failure. La notion d’Etats fragiles permet de caractériser des pays dont le pouvoir de gouvernement est faible, le cadre juridique et légal insuffisant, l’administration peu efficace et, en conséquence, la délivrance de services publics insuffisante. Mais elle prend peu en compte le fait que leurs propres sociétés peuvent aussi être fragiles et facilement détruites par des mesures economiques inappropriées ou par des événements extérieurs. Ainsi, les trappes à pauvreté, les structures d’inégalité pérennes, l’absence d’équité, de même que l’exclusion sociale, le sentiment d’insécurité et de vulnérabilité, ont tous pour effet de miner la cohésion sociale. De plus, les gens eux-mêmes, au sein d’une société donnée, portent aussi leur propres fragilités internes, basées sur un manque de capabilité et de reconnaissance, et ceci interfère dans les relations sociales. Si bien que si l’on veut aborder le problème de la fragilité dans toute sa dimension, il faut alors prendre en compte l’articulation des différents niveaux d’analyse où cette fragilité se déploie, du niveau personnel au niveau propre à l’Etat. L’intérêt d’une telle démarche est qu’elle permet aux Etats fragiles de concevoir des mesures de politique préventives qui leur permettraient d’éviter l’apparition de crises politiques graves, comme conséquence de la combinaison de situations sociales conflictuelles et d’échecs individualisés.

Keyphrases: philosophy, ethics, economics, Capability Approach, Fragile States, Poverty, Public Policy, Vulnerability, philosophie, éthique, économie, Approche par les capabilités, Etats fragiles, Pauvreté, Politiques publiques, Vulnérabilite