Journal: Penn Journal of Philosophy, Politics & Economics
ISSN
2474-6622 (online)
Publisher
Discipline
American Politics
Applied Ethics
Behavioral Economics
Economic Policy
Economics
Education Policy
Energy Policy
Environmental Policy
Ethics and Political Philosophy
Experimental Analysis of Behavior
Health Policy
International Economics
International Relations
Philosophy
Political Science
Political Theory
Psychology
Public Policy
Social Policy
Social Psychology
Applied Ethics
Behavioral Economics
Economic Policy
Economics
Education Policy
Energy Policy
Environmental Policy
Ethics and Political Philosophy
Experimental Analysis of Behavior
Health Policy
International Economics
International Relations
Philosophy
Political Science
Political Theory
Psychology
Public Policy
Social Policy
Social Psychology
Description
The Penn Journal of Philosophy, Politics & Economics, formerly known as SPICE: Student Perspectives on Institutions, Choices & Ethics, is the undergraduate journal of the Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) department. It is published yearly in print and online. Penn JPPE accepts submissions from undergraduate students in all majors within Penn. Articles submitted will be evaluated for publication based on the decisions of the editorial board - comprised largely of PPE majors - and referees, who are chosen by the editorial board and who must be undergraduates at Penn. Please send all inquiries about the journal to penn-pjppe@sas.upenn.edu.
Journal Volumes
Collection
100 results
Search Results
Now showing 1 - 10 of 100
Publication Platform Injustice: Material Imbalances and Epistemic Injustice on Digital Discursive Platforms(2022-04-20) Singh, SahajIn this paper, I argue that the existence of material power imbalances in systems of discourse represents a novel concern in the literature on epistemic injustice. This epistemic injustice, which I call Platform Injustice, arises from the undue assertion of agency over the background features of a system of discourse, in order to manipulate, diminish, or magnify the vocalization and reception of speech-acts. First, I demonstrate the unprecedented nature of platform control as an epistemic wrong. Next, I identify case studies of platform injustice in modern social media. Then, I situate platform injustice within Dotson’s typology of epistemic injustices; so, I can finally, identify paths to achieving platform justice and an epistemology of liberation.Publication The Law and Economics of Databases: A Balancing Act(2017-11-14) Huang, Ya ShonIn this paper, I demonstrate that the existing legal frameworks for database protection are inadequate – the American framework under-protects databases, while the European framework over-protects. This paper presents an economic analysis of the current scope of legal protections for databases versus the ideal, with an especial emphasis on the role of intellectual property rights in providing these protections, and concludes with proposals for an ideal system. After an overview of the current systems of legal protections for databases in the United States (US) and the European Union (EU), there will be an explanation of how different types of laws (competition, contract, and most importantly, intellectual property rights) impact the production and innovation of databases. The analysis will show that intellectual property rights are the most comprehensive and efficient form of legal protection due to its ability to limit transaction costs, provide adequate incentives for production, and maintain a reasonable barrier to entry. The scope and specificity of legal protections affects both the static and dynamic efficiency of markets, impacting not just the health of market functions, but also the growth and development of innovation. The proper scope of protection and whether intellectual property rights are the optimal source of protection depends on the economic nature of databases. If databases were to be treated as a commodity by the law, it is necessary for the law to accurately reflect the type of good that it is regulating, as different types of goods require different incentive structures. The paper will conclude with recommendations for an ideal legal system for the protection and regulation of databases, starting with accurately defining databases and ending with reasonable terms for copyrights. The solution is to find the balance between the US and the EU systems in terms of issue definition, economic incentives, and legal theory.Publication The Dynamics of Self Control(2017-11-13) Wallace, BretPublication Default Options in Economic Games: Experiments Demonstrating a ‘Default Pull’ Effect and Arbitrarily Constructed Preferences(2017-11-14) Dhingra, Nikhil; Gorn, Zach; Kener, AndrewPublication Negotiating Moral Luck(2018-04-27) Cody, JackIn this essay, I intend to elucidate Thomas Nagel's radical concept of moral luck and the unnerving philosophical paradox that inevitably arises when it is stripped to its essence: in pursuit of a method of fair moral assessment, we approach the possibility that nothing and no one can be aptly judged on moral grounds. I analyze some refutations to this troubling paradox, including Susan Wolf's promising rejection of the subcategory of consequential luck due to the existence of a proposed "nameless virtue." In light of these refutations and Nagel's and Bernard Williams' musings on moral luck, I aim to propose courses of action that can lead to a functional society despite the paradox entailing the idea that humanity has not place for accurate moral judgment. In doing so, I suggest that moral luck must, to an extent, be ignored, and that a practical approach to humanity would continue to make moral judgments despite being threatened with Nagel's sound declaration that this behavior is not logical.Publication Digital Norms and Their Place in a Tech-Based Future(2021-04-05) Squillaro, Joseph MOne impact of the technological revolution has been technology’s effects on social norms and the nudges needed to ensure efficiency and security in today’s “digitally required” world. I define these phenomena as digital norms and they inform interpersonal contact and tech-based choices. This paper looks specifically at norm interactions between Generation X and Generation Z. To test these digital norms and gauge their presence in both generations, this paper outlines a survey experiment of 50 people (25 Gen X and 25 Gen Z) and seeks to extrapolate assumptions on technology while providing policy recommendations. What was found was that civil liberty and morality expectations roll over into the expectations within digital norms. Thus, digital norms, and how we choose to interact with them, can be viewed as a themed social norm which abides by much of the same rules outlined by behavioral economics. They serve as the fundamental underpinning to how technological innovation gets perpetuated and ultimately how tech will facilitate future societal interaction.Publication Letter from the Editor(2018-04-27) Stein, TamarPublication Letter from the Editor(2017-11-13) Ivanova, ElliePublication Mask-wearing and Trustworthiness in a Modified Investment Game: A Pilot Study(2022-04-20) Ryan, Noah; Panganiban, Joselle; Velasquez, Sophia; Cook, LiamSince the early days of the COVID-19 Pandemic, face masks have emerged as a flashpoint of controversy in public discourse. While most Americans appreciate the public health importance of mask-wearing, some view masks as an unwanted imposition; some still, an affront to deep-seated values of individual liberty. In this paper, we present the results of an experiment aimed at assessing what effects, if any, face mask usage has on perceptions of an individual’s trustworthiness. While previous studies have used images of masked faces to elicit survey responses, this experiment used self-reported mask usage as a primer in a modified investment game to assess potential relations between mask usage and perceived trustworthiness. We find evidence to suggest individuals who report wearing masks more frequently are trusted more than individuals who report seldom wearing masks. Given the importance of trust between often-masked medical professionals and the public in the setting of infectious disease outbreaks, we believe the findings of this experiment may prove fruitful in elucidating the effects of personal protective equipment (PPE) usage on perceptions of trustworthiness.Publication