I try, in my own way, to help spread an appreciation for economics – including its limits.
I think a LOT of people think that economics, at least from the perspective of economics, does or SHOULD 'dominate' all other considerations. That's sad! Economics doesn't – can't – tell anyone what they want, or what they should want; just _how_ (best) to get it, economically, whatever it is.
I definitely think that lots of people resent economics for pointing out that 'even if you'd prefer otherwise, you can't escape making (at least) _some_ tradeoffs, even among your most sacred values'. Whatever your values, it'd be nice to get the best 'deal' among all of your options!
I agree that it's sad that many people have traded 'purity' for any kind of _sympathetic_ connection to major parts of the past.
Yes, lots of people have made mistakes, even terrible ones, and even mistakes sufficiently awful that is in fact morally justified to fight an actual massive, kilo/mega-death war to correct them.
But there's always so much more to be admired and treasured about the past, and our ancestors and predecessors. And the same's almost always true about our present selves too!
Sadly, I don't feel really much connection to my own alma maters; not enough to ever attend a reunion so far anyways.
Are any of the materials for your courses available online?
There's an early version of the Consumerism syllabus here (Click on "Topics in Humanomics" and scroll down): https://www.chapman.edu/research/institutes-and-centers/smith-institute-for-political-economy-and-philosophy/academics-and-research/humanomics.aspx
But the final one was different. I can see if I can get an updated one put online.
I think I would have loved your course :)
I try, in my own way, to help spread an appreciation for economics – including its limits.
I think a LOT of people think that economics, at least from the perspective of economics, does or SHOULD 'dominate' all other considerations. That's sad! Economics doesn't – can't – tell anyone what they want, or what they should want; just _how_ (best) to get it, economically, whatever it is.
I definitely think that lots of people resent economics for pointing out that 'even if you'd prefer otherwise, you can't escape making (at least) _some_ tradeoffs, even among your most sacred values'. Whatever your values, it'd be nice to get the best 'deal' among all of your options!
Thanks!
I agree that it's sad that many people have traded 'purity' for any kind of _sympathetic_ connection to major parts of the past.
Yes, lots of people have made mistakes, even terrible ones, and even mistakes sufficiently awful that is in fact morally justified to fight an actual massive, kilo/mega-death war to correct them.
But there's always so much more to be admired and treasured about the past, and our ancestors and predecessors. And the same's almost always true about our present selves too!
Sadly, I don't feel really much connection to my own alma maters; not enough to ever attend a reunion so far anyways.
Fun to read your stories and see pictures of reunions. I’ve never attended one.