White's book on Kantian Ethics and Economics is an outstanding example of mastery in both fields. Economists reading White's book will find much to value.' His book is a careful reproach to a discipline too often oblivious to individual rights because they are preoccupied by aggregate market efficiency. 'White objects that the emphasis on inclinations and beliefs makes economics careless of rights, dignity, and autonomy. this is a well-penned text from a literary perspective it exudes dexterity, fluency, and boasts a refined sense of humor.'

It is a breath of fresh air, which improves understanding of preference structures in economic decision models that are better suited to the reality of normal economic science. 'Here we have a robust, well-conceived and serious book. A Christian economist who wants to explore the implications of human dignity for normative economics will find an important ally in White.' This is a particularly worthwhile read for Christian economists, not only for its intriguing secular insights, but also for its critique of normative economics from premises which are similar but not identical to the Christian concept of human dignity. 'There is much here that will repay careful reading. Finally, it reconciles the traditional, individualist stance in economic models of choice with the social responsibility emphasized by many systems of philosophical ethics and heterodox schools of economics. It demonstrates the broader impact of welfare economics, which generates policies that affect not only persons' well-being, but also their dignity and autonomy. This integration allows for a more complete understanding of human choice, incorporating not just preferences and constraints, but also principles and strength of will or character. Integrating Kantian ethics affects economics in three important ways. For policymakers, standard decision-making frameworks recommend tradeoffs that are beneficial in terms of material goods or wealth, but may be morally questionable from a more person-centered perspective. For individuals, the standard economic model fails to incorporate the role of principles in decision-making, and also denies the possibility of true choice, which can be independent of preferences and principles altogether.

Mainstream economics is rooted in classical utilitarianism, recommending that decision makers choose the options that are expected to generate the largest net benefits. This book introduces the moral philosophy of Immanuel Kant-in particular, the concepts of autonomy, dignity, and character-to economic theory, explaining the importance of integrating these two streams of intellectual thought.