Utility.... fetish | 51 comments (51 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

That's the plan.

First I want to proofread, and maybe edit a little.

I expect that it will start a vigorous discussion, and that the utilitarians (the libertarians being the most virulent strain thereof) will come out in force.

And I'll give my consent to any government that does not deny a man a living wage-Billy Bragg

by ManfromMiddletown (manfrommiddletown at lycos dot com) on Wed Jul 18th, 2007 at 01:07:24 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Utility.... fetish (none / 1)

I recommend emphasis on the debasement of utilitarianism, ridiculing the needless and idiotic interpretation of "utility" as something that omits most of what people actually value. The strongest attack, I think, will be one that uses their own principles against their conclusions.

Words and ideas I offer here may be used freely and without attribution.

by technopolitical on Wed Jul 18th, 2007 at 03:16:27 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Utility.... fetish (4.00 / 3)

It is just debasement--there is overuse.

Folks who hope to explain everything with a few simple rules tend to omit a LOT if the situation is complex. The desire for economics to find ONE economic motivation for human behavior is why Neo-Classical economics can be most accurately described as a lame theology.

"Remember the I35W bridge--who needs terrorists when there are Republicans"

by techno (reply@elegant-technology.com) on Wed Jul 18th, 2007 at 06:21:47 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Utility.... fetish (none / 1)

It is NOT just debasement

"Remember the I35W bridge--who needs terrorists when there are Republicans"

by techno (reply@elegant-technology.com) on Wed Jul 18th, 2007 at 06:22:46 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Utility.... fetish (4.00 / 4)

The one-dimensionality and compartmentalisation of economic models is really depressing. It would seem that they come up with toy models that can be represented neatly on a two-dimensional graph for pedagogical purposes, and then they forget to progress to more realistic models. And that's being charitable.

Can the last politician to go out the revolving door please turn the lights off?

by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Wed Jul 18th, 2007 at 07:00:10 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Utility.... fetish (4.00 / 4)

Great!

then it will become apparent if the site is worth getting involved with.

She believed in nothing; only her skepticism kept her from being an atheist. -- Jean-Paul Sartre

by ATinNM on Wed Jul 18th, 2007 at 11:15:38 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Utility.... fetish | 51 comments (51 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

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