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30 sats \ 2 replies \ @Undisciplined OP 29 Jul \ parent \ on: Minimalism is Pro-Social econ
I don't really mind the standard moral relativism of economic analysis. As long as we keep in mind that what's being asserted are claims about what people are willing and able to pay for, we can avoid grander claims about happiness/utility/better/etc.
We're just being descriptive.
I think the obsession with GDP is mostly about focusing on what's observable and ignoring what isn't.
I actually think the obsession with GDP is mostly by absorption of social norms rather than the majority having a deep understanding of the ethical or practical foundations of GDP as a measurement. i.e. People see the talking heads focusing on GDP so they absorb the idea that GDP is the measurement of economic health.
I think GDP is a good enough measure for what it is; but I'd like to see more people understand what it actually measures and what it doesn't.
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Yes, agreed. I meant why economists continue focusing on it, when we all know the limitations.
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