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Fewer Rules, Better People
The Case for Discretion
Series: A Norton Short
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Brief Description
Wherever there's a rule, there is someone with the power to apply or ignore it—or add to it, in the interest of justice. From enforcing chores to issuing life sentences, decision-makers deliver flawed and sometimes arbitrary outcomes. But is their use of discretion good or bad...
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Fewer Rules, Better People
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A philosopher argues that the proliferation of rules and mandates is making us more stupid, less moral, more deceptive and less able to govern important institutions
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Description
Wherever there's a rule, there is someone with the power to apply or ignore it—or add to it, in the interest of justice. From enforcing chores to issuing life sentences, decision-makers deliver flawed and sometimes arbitrary outcomes. But is their use of discretion good or bad overall? As a society, should we seek to minimise or maximise discretion, with all its potential for bias and other kinds of human error?
Reframing our understanding of justice and ethics, philosopher Barry Lam argues that while the use of discretion—whether by a sports referee, a parent, a police officer, or a judge—can never be perfect, removing it has even more problematic effects. Mandatory arrests and sentencing laws have not eliminated bias, but have corrupted the courtroom, institutionalised lying, and brought about even more unjust and arbitrary results.
Fewer Rules, Better People is a bold, riveting treatise that sheds new light on political debates about law and justice while aiming to prepare us for the imminent threat of more "perfect," discretion-less rule enforcement by AI.
Series: A Norton Short
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Wherever there's a rule, there is someone with the power to apply or ignore it—or add to it, in the interest of justice. From enforcing chores to issuing life sentences, decision-makers deliver flawed and sometimes arbitrary outcomes. But is their use of discretion good or bad overall? As a society, should we seek to minimise or maximise discretion, with all...Hardback$4599Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 3-4 weeks -
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Fewer Rules, Better People
Wherever there's a rule, there is someone with the power to apply or ignore it-or add to it, in the interest of justice. From enforcing chores to issuing life sentences, decision-makers deliver flawed and sometimes arbitrary outcomes. But is their use of discretion good or bad overall? As a society, should we seek to minimize or maximize discretion, with all...Paperback$2299Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 3-4 weeks
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781324051244
Publisher: WW Norton & Co
Format: Hardback
Date Published: 25 March 2025
Country: United States
Imprint: WW Norton & Co
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 18.0mm
Width: 147.0mm
Height: 218.0mm
Weight: 316g
Pages: 176
About the Author
Barry Lam is a professor of philosophy at the University of California, Riverside, and the host and producer of the Hi-Phi Nation podcast for Slate, a show about the moral and philosophical issues implicated in science, law, and everyday life.
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Fewer Rules, Better People
Wherever there's a rule, there is someone with the power to apply or ignore it-or add to it, in the interest of justice. From enforcing chores to issuing life sentences, decision-makers deliver flawed and sometimes arbitrary outcomes. But is their use of discretion good or bad overall? As a society, should we seek to minimize or maximize discretion, with all...Paperback$2299Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 3-4 weeks
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