Title: Ethics for an Open Society
Subject Classification:  Morals, Philosophy, Decision Making  
BIC Classification: HPQ, HP, GPQ
BISAC Classification: PHI005000, PHI019000, PHI015000
Binding: Hardback, Paperback, eBook
Publication date: 11 Sep 2025
ISBN (Hardback): 978-1-83711-337-8
ISBN (eBook): 978-1-83711-338-5
ISBN (Paperback): 978-1-83711-339-2

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Description

Although demonstrating an objective morality is impossible, the implications of using human moral preferences as a foundation for orderly discussions about ethics are often unclear in moral philosophy, both inside and outside academic settings. This ambiguity may stem from a fear of slipping into unjustified moral relativism. This book aims to bring clarity to moral reasoning based on this foundation. To achieve this, the author utilizes the tools of modern economic analysis and game theory, which are particularly effective for studying decision-making. The initial chapters focus on outlining the approach and its rationale. Subsequently, this framework is applied to a wide range of moral and political questions.

Biography

Author(s):  José Luis Ferreira is a professor at the University Carlos III in Madrid, Spain.

Reviews

"[Ferreira's] forte is patience and rigor. He wants to help us think about how to discuss moral issues in societies where people genuinely disagree, where there is no ultimate authority capable of closing the discussion, and where, moreover, many disagreements are not mere misunderstandings, but real clashes between principles, intuitions, and interests. A central idea is that no one has a monopoly on morality. This seems obvious, but one only needs to look at almost any public debate to see that it isn't. Many people don't just think they're right, which would be quite enough, but also seem convinced that anyone who disagrees can only do so out of ignorance, bad faith, or some underlying moral deficiency. The book, on the other hand, forces you to get your hands dirty. It doesn't allow you to hide too quickly behind words like dignity, freedom, equality, or justice without explaining exactly what you're talking about, what your proposal entails, and what sacrifices you're willing to make. The book's courage lies in its refusal to shy away from tackling difficult topics. It addresses abortion, euthanasia, immigration, discrimination, feminism, inclusive language, fair trade, carbon footprint, freedom of expression, surrogacy, and much more. Who would I recommend it to? Certainly, economists with a curiosity for moral philosophy...But also academics from other disciplines who are open to a different perspective on these issues, or simply readers interested in contemporary public debates who are starting to tire of the tone that dominates so many conversations. It's a useful book for anyone who prefers arguments to excommunications. In short, [it] is intelligent, useful, and quite timely. It won't stop us from disagreeing on moral issues. But it can help us disagree a little better."
- Antonio Cabrales, Nada es Gratis blog, 12-03-2026 (translated from Spanish)