At first glance, the concepts of "cost" and "benefit" seem to be incompatible with moral behavior.

Enter. Because morality advocates dedication and self-sacrifice, moral behavior never talks about cost and self-sacrifice.

Return. But when you think about it, moral behavior does have a cost and benefit problem. Separation of moral behavior

If you don't pay (input), you have to pay attention to get (output), otherwise it is creation.

It's wasteful, and it can't achieve the desired effect. Using cost-benefit analysis method to study moral behavior,

It is not only feasible, but also reveals the characteristics and laws of moral behavior, so as to study moral behavior.

Provide a new perspective.

one

Cost-benefit analysis refers to the estimation and summation of input and output based on monetary unit.

Method of measurement. It is a planning scheme, which is done in advance. Under the condition of market economy,

Any enterprise should consider the economic value of specific economic behavior when carrying out economic activities.

In order to have a scientific estimate of the relationship between input and output as much as possible. Cost benefit

Interest analysis is an economic concept of living within our means, which requires us to have expected goals for future actions and goals.

Determine the probability of the expected target. The cost-benefit analysis method of economics is a general method.

The method of the times. Economics can use it to study the relationship between behavior and effect under various conditions.

Other social sciences can also use it to analyze how to get the maximum benefit at the lowest cost.

Human behavior. "The method of economics, in short, is the cost-benefit analysis. economy

Scientists are different because they have different views on what is cost and what is benefit.

The concepts of cost and benefit can be extended to almost everything. So the method of economics

It can be applied to other fields of social science. "[1] (page 282) So, specific to morality.

Domain, specific to moral behavior, cost-benefit analysis is possible, which requires analysis.

Prerequisites and inherent characteristics of this method.

The premise of cost-benefit analysis method is to pursue utility maximization. Engage in economic activities

Starting from the pursuit of profit maximization, our enterprise always tries to get the maximum benefit at the lowest cost.

Benefit. "Consumption and demand constitute the interests of manufacturers, and production and supply lead to the costs of manufacturers.

Manufacturers decide their production scale according to income and cost. [2](P 57) This is the theory of the manufacturer.

Foundation. "From the perspective of changes in income and cost, we have worked out the best production scale to get the most benefit.

Maximum profit. Maximizing profit is the principle for manufacturers to decide the production scale. ”[2](P57

Here, the direct purpose of manufacturer's production is to maximize profits, and the manufacturer studies costs and benefits.

The change of profit is only to determine the production scale that can maximize profit. In economic activities,

The reason why people want to carry out cost-benefit analysis is to get the maximum benefit with the least investment.

Income. "Economic analysis assumes the biggest behavior more clearly and comprehensively than other methods.

The utility or welfare function of courts, manufacturers, trade unions or administrative authorities can be maximized. "[3] (Page 7)

Therefore, when we use the cost-benefit analysis method to examine moral behavior, its prerequisite is

It should be a moral behavior and a behavior that pursues maximum utility. However, traditional morality

This theory holds that the fundamental characteristics of morality are self-sacrifice, not seeking return and advocating dedication. "

Moral regulation is different from other ways of regulation, and its fundamental feature is that it requires individuals or actors.

Others or society carry out necessary self-control and self-sacrifice. The so-called morality always depends on the individual

Society is more or less self-sacrificing to others. [4](P 15) In fact, this

It is only an explanation of the characteristics of moral altruism. Besides altruism, morality also has its own characteristics.

The profitable side. In addition, morality does not exclude the pursuit of its best interests. Morality is essentially

It is about efficiency, and its production itself is the application of economic principles. Morality is neither spontaneous nor spontaneous.

Natural things are not God's will, but people's interests for mutual adjustment.

And an agreed code of conduct. The reason why people use this form to regulate their behavior is because

This form can avoid conflicts of interest between people and reduce unnecessary losses.

Restrict people's behavior within the scope allowed by the rules, so morality is based on a lower contract.

The price is in exchange for higher benefits from the coordination of interests between people, and the form of morality lies in people.

Its application in international relations itself follows the law of maximizing the utility of human behavior. "Economics can.

Facts have proved that those historical moral norms are efficient. A person's most efficient behavior

Or countermeasures, is to follow the moral behavior or countermeasures. Because of the interaction between people,

It is not only moral but also effective to adopt a cooperative attitude, be considerate of others and be self-disciplined.

Rate. [1](P 277) Morality is not only a strategy for people to maximize their economic utility.

And this is also a pursuit of maximizing utility. In fact, all human behavior.

All of them contain the economic motivation of maximizing utility, and all of them can use the cost-benefit point of economics.

The analysis method is studied and explained. "Contemporary behavioral science has been proved by a large number of facts, which determine people's

The most fundamental motivation of moral behavior choice is people's expectation of the result of their behavior, which is

Analysis of compensation cost based on people's behavior results. Moreover, in this kind of

The consideration of economic interests usually plays the most important role in the expectation of behavior results. "[5]

Self-interest, economy and calculation are the characteristics of cost-benefit analysis. This method

The inner spirit is the pursuit of interests, but this pursuit of interests has a strong self-interest. Cost—

The starting point and purpose of income analysis is to pursue the actor's own interests, which is just behavior.

A computing tool for people to gain their own interests. The utility pursued by cost-benefit analysis is behavior.

Your own utility is not the utility of others, but its directivity, that is, self-interest; Due to behavior

People have selfish motives and always try to get the maximum benefit with the least investment in economic activities.

Benefit, so that economic activities are economical and efficient. Premise of cost-benefit analysis-utility maximization

It contains the requirements of economy and efficiency. The utility of moral behavior can be divided into two categories, one is material.

Utility, and the other is spiritual utility. Morality itself is a spiritual product, but it is based on interests.

Abiding by certain morality means safeguarding certain interests. Therefore, the utility maximization of moral behavior includes things.

The maximization of quality benefits. But the utility of morality can't be measured only by material benefits, which also shows this point.

Now is the spiritual value of personality perfection. Only by acknowledging this, can we fully grasp moral behavior.

The connotation and value of economy. Actors should make their economic activities selfish,

To be economical and efficient, we must calculate our own input and output. Therefore, the cost-

Income analysis includes the calculation rationality of living within one's means. Without this careful calculation,

Economic activities cannot achieve good results. Therefore, the calculation of cost-benefit is special.

Sex is a necessary means to realize economy and a basic tool to ensure the interests of actors.

Therefore, cost-benefit analysis is highly utilitarian.

Then, the cost-benefit analysis method derived from economics and with a strong utilitarian color is as follows

What can be applied to moral behavior? This is because although moral behavior is altruistic, it also

It is self-interested, economical and computational, and is different from the cost-benefit analysis method in its internal characteristics.

Meet the internal requirements. Moral self-interest can be understood from two aspects, one is material interests.

Egoism in the world. Because the basis of morality is interest, one chooses to abide by moral behavior.

In this world, I choose to protect my own interests by respecting the interests of others. In economic activities,

Many mutually beneficial moral behaviors that realize self-interest through altruism belong to this type. The second one is

Spiritual egoism. Morality is not only a tool for people to safeguard material interests, but also a tool for people.

A state of pursuing spiritual perfection. People who pursue noble moral goals regard morality itself as

Therefore, for the purpose, when they have moral behavior, their spirit is also selfish. moral conduct

At the same time, it is an economic behavior that pursues the maximization of utility, emphasizes efficiency and has a negative impact on the consequences of behavior.

Think rationally (calculate) and strive to achieve the best results. "In fact, people's ways

Moral concepts and moral behaviors cannot be separated from their real life environment, especially economic life.

Living environment. Although moral cognition and conscience can influence individual behavior to some extent,

The most important factor affecting individual behavior choice is the individual's return to the consequences of his behavior-cost.

Analysis and expectation. [5] Although moral behavior is different from economic behavior, the cost of economic behavior

-benefit analysis cannot be mechanically moved to the analysis of moral behavior, but should be divided into costs and benefits.

Internal spirit and basic analytical methods are suitable for the analysis of moral behavior.

In real life, some people compete for money at the negotiating table, and even the office paper should be thrifty.

Entrepreneurs generously contribute to social undertakings, help the poor in disaster relief and engage in economic activities.

When you move, you are completely different. Does this phenomenon mean that economic behavior and moral behavior are completely different?

What about the same law? Does it mean that cost-benefit analysis does not apply to moral behavior? author

The answer is no, first of all, economic behavior and moral behavior are the pursuit of utility.

Maximize. "In the field of economic activities, the pursuit of wealth is people's main and recognized purpose.

[6](P 1 19) In a competitive market, people can only reflect themselves by how much money they earn.

Their own value. The market mechanism is a mechanism based on interests, which makes people in a profit-seeking situation.

There must be no slack in the tense atmosphere, otherwise it will be impossible to gain a foothold in economic activities. one

Once crossing the boundary of economic activities, some people will recover from the tension of pursuing profits, and even

Be generous in donating some of your own benefits. But what they showed in the process of benefit donation

The quality does not go beyond the behavior law of utility maximization, but just pursues another effect.

Use. Secondly, man is the unity of economic man and moral man. Economic man and moral man are not two leaders.

Two people in the field, but two people with different attributes in the same activity. In the economy

In the activity, people pursue their own interests, which fully shows the attribute of economic man, but people are chasing it.

In the process of seeking profit, he also follows morality and shows the attribute of a moral person. In fact, the economy

The hypothesis of human nature reflects the basic characteristics of human behavior and human nature. No matter what behavior,

Will not fundamentally change human nature. Therefore, the economic man hypothesis is also successful in the moral field.

Stand. However, with the change of environment, people's behavior will be different. Live morally.

Moved, moral people will be in a prominent position, making people's behavior show greater morality.

The attribute of helping others takes a back seat. Therefore, a person's performance in social affairs "

"Out of line" behavior is still a routine behavior.

two

Our ethics pays more attention to the study of the law of moral development, but it is not conducive to the study of the law of moral behavior

Research is not enough. Using cost-benefit analysis method to analyze moral behavior can reveal

Cost-benefit law of moral behavior. "Cost-benefit analysis method is also called transaction cost.

Analytical methods. In the world where transaction cost is positive, the basic behavior criterion of economic man is behavior.

Expected income ≥ expected cost (that is, R≥C) is a necessary condition for an economic man to decide whether to take action.

Conditions, and the degree of behavior lies in the boundary conditions: marginal revenue = marginal cost (that is, Mr.

= MC), because the maximization of net income has been realized at this time (NR = R-C). Economic man's

Behavior is the result of cost-benefit analysis ... there is nothing wrong with people's basic behavioral motives.

The same is the pursuit of utility maximization, and the difference of human behavior lies in the comparison between income and cost.

Different, this difference comes from different values. [7](P 17) to analyze morality.

Behavior, we can find: whether a moral behavior occurs, the breadth and depth of it,

Determined by the relationship between cost and income; When the income is greater than the cost, the behavior has an economic price.

Value, and it is worth or easy to happen, on the contrary, it is not worth or easy to happen;

The greater the difference between income and cost, the higher the probability of this behavior and the stronger the driving force. exist

Under the condition of fixed income, moral cost is like an "invisible hand" in economic activities.

Leading people's moral choices. This is the benefit of moral behavior-the law of cost.

Moral behavior can be divided into moral behavior and immoral behavior. Whether it's moral behavior

, or immoral behavior is to follow the cost-benefit law of moral behavior.

As far as moral behavior is concerned, its cost is mainly composed of direct cost and opportunity cost. direct

Cost is the time, financial resources and energy paid by moral subjects in the process of engaging in moral activities.

Payment; Opportunity cost means that moral subjects give up engaging in other morals because they engage in such moral activities.

Utility benefit of activity abandonment. The behavioral benefit of morality refers to the moral activities that moral subjects engage in.

Utility gained by moving. Here, the benefits outweigh the costs, indicating that the behavior is beneficial.

Behavior will be strengthened, otherwise it will be invalid, and this behavior will be weakened or even disappeared.

And immoral behavior. The most prominent thing in this respect is that under the advocacy of society, some people do not.

Selfless dedication, ready to help others, but some people take advantage of the opportunity to damage selfless dedication, happiness.

To help others. Generally speaking, when people choose their own moral behavior, they should

To compare and calculate the possible costs and possible benefits of this behavior, only when

Only when he thinks that the benefits will be higher than the cost will he choose this behavior. When selfless dedication and helpfulness

When people do good deeds, they produce public goods (such as creating a good social order). )

Be enjoyed by others for free. The production of these public * * * products needs cost, if this cost

Without compensation, the interests of its subject will be harmed. If a moral behavior is beneficial to

If the cost gap is too large, this behavior will be restrained. Over time, moral behavior will

The collapse of immoral behavior is related to the inferior products in the commodity market dragging down the Lemmon market of high-quality products.

The phenomenon is similar. Therefore, society should not ignore moral behavior, but should adopt it.

The establishment of the system ensures that good deeds are rewarded with good deeds and the interests of those who abide by morality. Only in this way,

Only in this way can more people be willing to do good deeds, expand moral behavior and improve the moral level of the whole society.

German level.

As for immoral behavior, its cost consists of direct cost, opportunity cost, punishment cost and marginal cost.

Composition of international cost. Direct cost refers to the direct expenditure of moral subjects engaged in immoral activities, including

The cost of manpower, financial expenditure and mental burden; Opportunity cost refers to the moral subject, because

Engage in such immoral activities, and at the same time no longer have the opportunity to use their resources for other moral activities,

Possible benefits to be given up; Punishment cost refers to the exposure of moral subject to immoral behavior.

The price paid for the punishment afterwards includes the punishment paid afterwards and the resulting negative.

Surface effect. Of course, the cost of punishment must be generated after unethical behavior is exposed and punished, otherwise,

Can't be counted as the cost of immoral behavior. Marginal cost is the change of immoral behavior cost and its income.

Profit-to-change ratio refers to every increase in immoral behavior with the increase in the number of immoral behaviors.

For the increased cost. The benefits of immoral behavior are obtained by moral subjects from immoral behavior.

For the benefit. If the benefits of unethical behavior outweigh the costs, such unethical behavior will be strengthened.

The key to avoid this immoral behavior is to increase the cost of punishment. Generally speaking, it is immoral.

The direct cost and opportunity cost of a specific immoral behavior chosen by the actor are certain.

Moreover, with the increase of immoral behavior, immoral actors will have more means to engage in immoral behavior.

If you are skilled, your experience will be richer and your marginal cost will be smaller. Therefore, only by increasing the cost of punishment,

Only by increasing the punishment for immoral behavior can we improve the risk and control of immoral behavior.

About force. Punishment should be strong, and punishment is not in place, which is worse than no punishment. Punishment should reflect seriousness.

Sex should be punished, which has a strong inhibitory effect on this behavior.

Perpetrators of immoral behaviors always compare the costs and benefits of their actions. If we put

The difference between the income and the cost of moral behavior is regarded as income. Then, the more benefits an action has, the greater the cost.

The lower the income, the higher the income, and the actor will be willing to tend to this behavior. As shown in the figure below.

Figure 1 Relationship between income and cost of unethical behavior

When revenue equals cost, revenue is zero. Theoretically, zero-return behavior.

Not worth it. Before engaging in immoral activities, an actor should be responsible for his actions.

Calculate costs and revenues. Generally speaking, this kind of behavior will be implemented when the interests are great; from

As can be seen from the figure, the expected return value of immoral actors is at a point below the zero return curve.

The connection of these points forms the expected yield curve. It is necessary to make immoral behavior uneconomical.

In order to be an unworthy behavior, the benefit must be less than the cost, and the way is to increase the pain.

Penalty cost. Punishment is aimed at the actor, and for society, it is aimed at immoral behavior.

Punishment. The penalty curve must be set above the zero return curve and linked to the return.

Increase and then increase, otherwise the punishment will lack the function of restraining immoral behavior. The penalty curve shows that,

As long as there is immoral behavior, it is expected that it must be carried out regardless of whether the actor actually has interests or not.

Income corresponds to punishment, so the punishment curve should be parallel to the expected curve of income and zero income.

The curve keeps a certain distance, which shows that punishment is directly proportional to the benefits that the actor can get.

The relationship and penalty curve rise with the increase of expected income. The higher the penalty curve, the higher the income.

The greater the cost gap, the greater the negative benefits and the higher the cost of unethical behavior.

The less worthwhile this behavior is.

It can be seen that both moral behavior and immoral behavior follow the maximization of utility.

Therefore, the regulation of moral behavior should also follow this principle. Use only once.

Economic principles regulate moral behavior, thus protecting moral behavior and restraining immoral behavior.

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