Quote by Jane Smiley

Is human nature basically good or evil? No economist can embark upon his profession without considering this question, and yet they all seem to. And they all seem to think human nature is basically good, or they wouldn't be surprised by the effects of deregulation.

Is human nature basically good or evil? No economist can emb

Summary

This quote highlights the debate about human nature being inherently good or evil and its implications for economics. The author suggests that economists assume human nature is fundamentally good, as they are surprised by the negative consequences of deregulation. This implies that if economists believed humans were inherently evil, they would anticipate such negative outcomes. The quote raises questions about the relationship between human nature, economic policies, and the impact on society.

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