ABSTRACT
Economists are right to be diffident about their own ethical opinions if they are not founded on good arguments and well worked-out theory. In that case, their opinions will not prosper in the market place of ideas. Perhaps this is indeed the reason why so many economists are reticent. The solution is for them to get themselves good arguments, and work out the theory. It is not to hide behind the preferences of other people, when those preferences may not be well founded, and when the people themselves may be looking for better foundations.
