Monthly Archives: April 2022

Poor Homo Economicus

Posted on April 29, 2022 by koenfucius

(featured image: Caitriana Nicholson/Flickr CC BY SA 2.0) An accidental behavioural economist takes up the defence of Homo Economicus Are people rational, or irrational? It depends. It certainly depends on exactly what you mean by ‘rational’ or ‘irrational’. You may … Continue reading →

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Something uniquely human

Posted on April 22, 2022 by koenfucius

There are not many things that are exclusively associated with the human species, but I think I may have found one: the technicality While we have no problem distinguishing a goldfinch from a blue whale, or a mosquito from a … Continue reading →

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Myopia, incompetence and disregard

Posted on April 15, 2022 by koenfucius

(Featured image: Misha Dontzov/Flickr CC BY 2.0) Poor decision making comes in many guises, but there are three widespread causes that are often implicated When did you last make a poor decision? I don’t mean unfortunate situations where you were … Continue reading →

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Just the ticket

Posted on April 8, 2022 by koenfucius

Valuing things is tricky, even if there is a price printed on it Last weekend, my daughter and her husband had planned to go and see a performance by the Liverpudlian comedian John Bishop. Unfortunately, some unforeseen circumstances put a … Continue reading →

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Choosing, right and wrong

Posted on April 1, 2022 by koenfucius

Our sense of what is right and what is wrong has more power over us than we might imagine Many of the decisions and choices we make are utilitarian in nature. When we buy something, even something inexpensive where we … Continue reading →

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