1. What is limitarianism and why is it gaining societal interest?
Limitarianism is the view that there are moral limits to how rich a person can be, or how many other types of scarce and valuable resources they can appropriate. It is gaining societal interest due to the increasing gap between the best-off and the rest of society, with the richest experiencing wealth growth while others face stagnation or decline in living standards. This book brings together philosophical papers on limitarianism, addressing the moral problems with excessive wealth and exploring the concept in depth. The interest in limitarianism is further fueled by the media's attention to societal inequalities, climate change effects, the Covid-19 pandemic, and rising energy prices. The book is intended for an academic audience, with a focus on philosophical research and discussions among colleagues and advanced students in political philosophy. The broader audience can find accessible arguments on the moral problems with excessive wealth in Neuhauser (2018) and on limitarianism specifically in Robeyns (2024). The volume is published open access, making it accessible to a wider readership interested in the philosophical literature on limitarianism.
read more
2. What are the reasons to fight poverty?
Fighting poverty is crucial due to various reasons. Poor individuals lack basic necessities, face social exclusion, and often receive disrespect. They are vulnerable to exploitation and dominance by others. Deprivation in material and immaterial goods, such as income, wealth, power, authority, water, food, housing, and energy, is widely recognized. Access to essential goods is considered a fundamental right for every person. The moral claim against poverty suggests it is inherently bad or wrong, while some may view it as an instrumental claim for physical security and stability. Politically, social institutions should aim to prevent poverty to the extent possible without compromising other values. This approach aligns with the basic intuition of limitarianism, which emphasizes the importance of ensuring everyone has access to enough important goods.
read more