An Interesting Post
This is Bryan Caplan, writing at Econlog:
If someone gives another person $100, almost all economists agree that the recipient is better off…If someone gives another person the gift of life, however, I’ve noticed that many economists suddenly become agnostic. $100? Definitely an improvement. Being alive? Meh.
As I quip in Selfish Reasons to Have More Kids, “No one asks to be born, but almost everyone would if he could.” The same holds for sneaking $100 bills in stranger’s pockets.
Count me as agnostic.
This whole post is question begging. You can’t give someone life because the someone doesn’t exist until he is alive.
I agree with Joe. The statement everyone would if he could” suffers from the same problem.
What’s the point? Is he saying we should we have more kids in hopes they will thank us for bringing them into this world?
I think the point is that some economists are materialistic and determinist when it comes to material factors affecting behavior.