Two economists walking down the street toward an ice cream shop. The first economist turns to the second and says, “I really want an ice cream cone.” They keep walking. They walk past the ice cream shop. Halfway down the block, the second economist turns to the first and says “I guess not.”
A lot of people like to make talking noises obviously factually incorrect about their own preferences. “I value everyone’s happiness equally.” What manifest piffle. It’s strange how many people think the world is made a better place by lying to others, and yourself, and what you value.
Strange? Lying to others about what I value is an important part of this nutritious negotiating strategy. Lying to myself lets me lie to others without feeling, or seeming, dishonest. (Indeed, most people will argue that I’m not actually lying at all in this case.) What’s strange about it?
Two economists walking down the street toward an ice cream shop. The first economist turns to the second and says, “I really want an ice cream cone.” They keep walking. They walk past the ice cream shop. Halfway down the block, the second economist turns to the first and says “I guess not.”
A lot of people like to make talking noises obviously factually incorrect about their own preferences. “I value everyone’s happiness equally.” What manifest piffle. It’s strange how many people think the world is made a better place by lying to others, and yourself, and what you value.
Strange?
Lying to others about what I value is an important part of this nutritious negotiating strategy.
Lying to myself lets me lie to others without feeling, or seeming, dishonest. (Indeed, most people will argue that I’m not actually lying at all in this case.)
What’s strange about it?