My project is to show that two problems share a single solution. One of these problems afflicts theories of benevolence. The other afflicts theories of egalitarian justice. These problems, while fundamentally philosophical, beset the tools of policymakers, e.g. cost-benefit analysis in public health priority-setting, economic measures of wealth inequality, how to account for the harms of climate change to future generations, and so on. A single, unified theory of benevolence and egalitarian justice can solve both problems and thereby improve our tools for policy evaluation.

---

Jamie Goodrich is Assistant Professor of Philosophy at UW–Madison. Their research and teaching spans a variety of foundational issues in contemporary moral, political and legal philosophy concering rights, justice, and beneficience. Their recent publications includes “Two Puzzles of Distributive Ethics” in Oxford Studies in Political Philosophy and “In Defence of No One” with Joseph Bowen in Philosophy and Phenomenological Research.

*Events currently open only to 2026-27 fellows due to space concerns; please contact IRH at info@irh.wisc.edu to be added to a cancellation list for in-person events.*