People are packages of attitudes and opinions. And some are related. even if logically they are not.
Take caring about human pain and suffering vs. rational logical solutions (e.g. utility maximization, caring about side effects of solutions, unintended consequences, costs for others etc. )
Many people opposing parts of welfare things have as good a heart as those supporting them. Many times there are legitimate issues with the "just help the poor" attitude.
Sadly, this all gets bundled up.
Is this an accident? or there is something inherent in caring that conflicts with rational utilitarian solutions?
I think there is an inherent bundling here. Not intentional. Many even deny it on both sides of the argument. But in fact, this bundling is central.
Bundling is when people hold bundles of opinions and attitudes, rather than discrete and seperate many opinions.
It will mean that a caring person will care rather than summarize things.
Then when someone offers - for example - to cut benefits for the slightly disabled to allow a decent living for paraplegics, the caring folks will always object. They are caring people, not utility calculating machines.
Moreover, when economists and policy people will point out the obvious calculation (the severely disabled are the main sufferers, etc.) they will be dismissed as cynics.
While irrational, they caring folks have a truth in their dismissal. An irrelevant truth, but true nevertheless.
You must be detached slightly to notice the calculation. The same way that an emotionally involved surgeon should not be allowed to operate. Being involved emotionally means it is hard to do the math. or stay cool while cutting someone brain.
This bundling of opinions, helps explain other wonders. Why are so many environmentalists opposed to nuclear power - arguably the most realistic way to stop CO2 emissions? Simple. If you care about the environment you hate pollution and nuclear power is a pollutant. Calculations are irrelevant.
Bundling is when people hold bundles of opinions and attitudes, rather than discrete and seperate many opinions.
It will mean that a caring person will care rather than summarize things.
Then when someone offers - for example - to cut benefits for the slightly disabled to allow a decent living for paraplegics, the caring folks will always object. They are caring people, not utility calculating machines.
Moreover, when economists and policy people will point out the obvious calculation (the severely disabled are the main sufferers, etc.) they will be dismissed as cynics.
While irrational, they caring folks have a truth in their dismissal. An irrelevant truth, but true nevertheless.
You must be detached slightly to notice the calculation. The same way that an emotionally involved surgeon should not be allowed to operate. Being involved emotionally means it is hard to do the math. or stay cool while cutting someone brain.
This bundling of opinions, helps explain other wonders. Why are so many environmentalists opposed to nuclear power - arguably the most realistic way to stop CO2 emissions? Simple. If you care about the environment you hate pollution and nuclear power is a pollutant. Calculations are irrelevant.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment