Trust, Titmuss and blood

Shearmur, Jeremy

Cultural advice

The Australian National University acknowledges, celebrates and pays our respects to the Ngunnawal and Ngambri people of the Canberra region and to all First Nations Australians on whose traditional lands we meet and work, and whose cultures are among the oldest continuing cultures in human history.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are advised that ANU Library collections may include images, names, voices, and other representations of deceased persons.

Material in the collection may contain terms, language or views that reflect the period in which the item was created and may be considered inappropriate today.

Trust, Titmuss and blood

Date

2001

Authors

Shearmur, Jeremy

Publisher

Blackwell Publishing Ltd

Abstract

Richard Titmuss challenged the market-based approach to social problems in the case of blood supply. His criticisms can, however, be answered if a system of strict liability is in place and if commerce works effectively with charitable activity. It is false to draw a dichotomy between markets and narrow self-interest, on the one hand, and mechanisms that make for the well-being of others, on the other.