Nudge Me If You Can! Why Order Ethicists Should Embrace the Nudge Approach

Abstract Order ethicists favour incentives as a means for making moral progress but largely ignore an alternative method, namely, nudging, which has come to prominence through the work of behavioural scientists in recent years. In this paper, we suggest that is mistake. have no reason nudging method. Arguments they might press against it include worries about paternalism, manipulation, autonomy, and unintended bad consequences. These are, argue, unfounded insofar involve misconceptions or affect well. particular, contend only some, not all, nudges are paternalistic, manipulative, autonomy-reducing. The same true incentives. Also, both can Therefore, order cannot endorse arguments without undermining their favourable view addition, there be positive reasons prefer incentives, instance, when more freedom-preserving, effective, cheaper, easier implement, less inequality-inducing than latter.