Reciprocity and practical comparability

Reciprocity does not require exactness but only a certain equilibrium in the things reciprocated: it is often overabundant. In addition, reciprocity may be fulfilled by returning something of a different kind that may be heterogeneous and incommensurable with the thing received. The reason of this “...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International review of economics 2008-04, Vol.55 (1-2), p.13-28
Main Author: Crespo, Ricardo F.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Economic Policy
Economic theory
Economic Theory/Quantitative Economics/Mathematical Methods
Economics
Economics and Finance
Equality
Equilibrium
Ethics
Friendship
History of Economic Thought/Methodology
Law and Economics
Quality of Life Research
Rationality
Reciprocity
Social Policy
Studies
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Summary:Reciprocity does not require exactness but only a certain equilibrium in the things reciprocated: it is often overabundant. In addition, reciprocity may be fulfilled by returning something of a different kind that may be heterogeneous and incommensurable with the thing received. The reason of this “uneven response” of reciprocity is that in these situations the exchange of means aims at manifesting some values that are ends for the persons involved. Hence, the consideration of reciprocity supposes a reinsertion of ends in economics. The paper firstly defines reciprocity. Next, it summarizes a variety of arguments for a reconsideration of ends in economics. After that, it explains the differences between the rationalities of means and ends. A key difference lies in the problem of incommensurability of ends. This problem will be then tackled and a possible way to overcome it will be proposed. It will be finally sustained that practical comparability allows for incommensurable fair reciprocation.
ISSN:1865-1704
1863-4613
DOI:10.1007/s12232-007-0028-z