ABSTRACT
Unlike most economists of the modern era Daly has articulated views on philosophy, ethics and religion, especially as they pertain to economics. His widely read For the Common Good, co-authored with theologian John Cobb Jr., stands as a prime example. Early in his teaching career Daly introduced his Ends–Means Spectrum, which relates Ultimate means to Ultimate ends with intermediate means and intermediate ends – the focus of economics – located in between. It is the framework for virtually all that followed.
The chapter includes a discussion of ‘purpose’, determinism and free will and, in particular, his critique of Neo-Darwinism, which he argues leaves no room for purpose. Yet without purpose, Daly says, policy makes no sense. Daly draws on Whitehead’s ‘lurking inconsistency’, Feynman’s ‘unanswered question’ to support his position. Others take a different view on Darwinism and purpose. Throughout the biography, disagreements of this sort are discussed and explained, leading to conclusions by the author not always aligned with those of Daly.
