Summary
Thomas Schelling's "Choice and Consequence" examines situations where traditional rationality is unclear. The book explores topics ranging from nuclear terrorism and blackmail to daydreaming and euthanasia, revealing ethical issues embedded within economics and identifying those that are incorrectly framed.
The author investigates the intersection of ethical considerations and economic principles, demonstrating how choices and their ensuing consequences can be complex and defy simple rational analysis. Readers gain insight into the ambiguous nature of rationality when confronting diverse and often profound human experiences.
Key concepts
- Rationality is ambiguous — Situations explored where standard rational decision-making is unclear.
- Ethical issues wrapped up in economics — Examination of moral considerations intertwined with economic principles.
- Misplaced or misidentified ethical issues — Identification of ethical dilemmas that are incorrectly understood or categorized.
From the book
Description: In Choice and Consequence, Thomas Schelling ventures where rationality is ambiguous, exploring topics as awesome as nuclear terrorism, as sordid as blackmail, as ineffable as daydreaming, as intimidating as euthanasia. He examines ethical issues wrapped up in economics, and discloses ethical issues that are misplaced or misidentified.
Snippet: In Choice and Consequence, Thomas Schelling ventures where rationality is ambiguous, exploring topics as awesome as nuclear terrorism, as sordid as blackmail, as ineffable as daydreaming, as intimidating as euthanasia.