Rational Choice and Ethics. (= Special issue of: Ethical Theory and Moral Practice 13,5 (2010), pp. 483-593.)

Rational decision theory (including rational game theory) has played important roles in more formally oriented ethics, from providing the definition of 'utility' in welfare ethics to much more substantial contributions as the justification of morals in game theoretical reconstructions of contractualist conceptions of morals. Further uses of rational decision theory in ethics include: justification of morals by decisions in an original position; axiomatic justification of utilitarianism, risk ethics etc. So there are many ways in which rational decision theory actually has been used in ethics; these endeavours are rather intricate; and it is far from clear which role(s) rational decision theory should play in ethics. This special issue of "Ethical Theory and Moral Practice" tries to reconsider and to systematize the relevance of rational decision theory for ethics, its role and reach, and to perhaps venture a new start on the basis of such a systematization. Topics covered include: directly (i.e. without original position) contractualist (game theoretical) conceptions of moral justification; cooperation ethics; risk ethics. The authors of the special iusse are: Sven Ove Hansson, Christoph Lumer, Edward McClennen, Jan Narveson, Bruno Verbeek.