The Samaritan's Dilemma: Public Choice versus Private Right

Abstract

Addresses the characteristics of an ideal society. In particular a fair decision is defined as the indexed subset of liberty, justice and rights: if a decision is right, then it is fair, and, if it is fair, the decision is just. This line of reasoning is arrived at by introducing the new concepts of ethical asymmetry, altruism, dual disadvantage, preference criteria, moral complements and pairwise rights. Respect for individual rights is an important characteristic of the reasoning presented. The Samaritan regards the individual′s right as a claim right, justified by reference to a moral theory or to law. The Samaritan′s dilemma arises when, in resolving an individual right issue, cognizance must be taken of the public preference on the issue. The resolution of the issue can be attained with the presence of altruistic individuals.

Citation

McNutt, P.A. (1993), "The Samaritan's Dilemma: Public Choice versus Private Right", International Journal of Social Economics, Vol. 20 No. 1, pp. 51-63. https://doi.org/10.1108/03068299310023941