Reflections on the concept of the common good from an economic perspective

The chapter considers how the common good can be implemented when opinions differ within society about the nature of the common good. It explains how economic analysis can shed light on efficient conflict-management in these circumstances. The chapter argues, more generally, that virtue theorists make too little use of economics because they have an unduly restricted view of the nature and scope of the discipline

Abduction by philosophers: reorienting philosophical methodology

A reorientation is needed in methodological debate about the role of intuitions in philosophy. Methodological debate has lost sight of the reason why it makes sense to focus on questions about intuitions when thinking about the methods or epistemology of philosophy. The problem is an approach to methodology which gives a near exclusive focus to questions about some evidential role that intuitions may or may not play in philosophers' arguments. A new approach is needed. Approaching methodological questions about the role of intuitions in philosophy with an abductive model of philosophical enquiry in mind will help ensure the debate doesn't lose sight of what motivates the debate.