On Experts and Preferences
I think you misunderstand. Economists do base their views on evidence, but most economists use this evidence to further market preferences and not their own value judgments. Most of this value is manifested in market prices, and is commonly used due to its summative and objective nature. I think Broome makes an interesting point because far too often I have seen experts abuse their influence to further personal agenda, and thus economists that refrain from value judgments and political leanings in their recommendations, while allowing preferences to prevail, lead to a more democratic market economy.
“What is the role of experts in democracy?…Their views, supported by arguments and evidence, help individuals and their representatives to form judgments. This is not how economists typically see their democratic role. They do not see themselves as participants in public deliberation, helping people to make their judgments. Instead, they think their role is to help ensure that the preferences of the people prevail. They do this by basing their valuations on market prices, which reflect people’s preferences.”— John Broome, Climate Matters: Ethics in a Warming World
john broome is wrong. economists do try to base their views on evidence. they do try to help individuals to form judgements. they are, and are seen as, participants in ublic deliberation. they don’t just base “their valuations on market prices” - value is seen as more complex than that.
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Notes
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politico2012 reblogged this from jumbodumbothoughts and added:
i don’t think i misunderstood what john broome says. let’s take what he says: well, we’ve seen it again. i will say that...
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jumbodumbothoughts reblogged this from politico2012 and added:
I think you misunderstand. Economists do base their views on evidence, but most economists use this evidence to further...
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jumbodumbothoughts posted this
