Is Mandatory Retirement Morally Defensible?

The topic of banning mandatory retirement has sparked debate as ageing populations transform societies. Comparing ageism to sexism and racism, this book addresses the philosophical concerns of age discrimination, as well as the ethical and social considerations of personal dignity, economic efficiency, and employment insecurity.

This edited volume fosters theoretical discourse by drawing on interdisciplinary conceptual frameworks from philosophy, ethics, economics, social work, and law. Distinguished contributors—including philosophers, bioethicists, social scientists, and legal experts—critically examine Lazear’s influential theory of mandatory retirement. They also develop compelling comparisons between mandatory retirement policies and the Victorian Factory Acts and analyze how prohibiting mandatory retirement could substantially benefit workers in mainland China and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR).

This title is essential reading for scholars and students of practical ethics, bioethics, public policy, labour and public economics, social work, and employment law.

Author Biography

Hon-Lam Li is Distinguished Professor of Medical Humanities at Southeast University, Emeritus Professor in the Department of Philosophy at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, and Affiliate Professor of Bioethics at the University of Washington School of Medicine. He has published extensively in moral, political, and legal philosophy. His current interest focuses on moral contractualism and its implications for practical issues.