The Role of Honesty in Communities and Economies

In today’s episode we explore the theme of “Honesty.” 

Sowell wrote about honesty in his latest book “Social Justice Fallacies,” and also in his 2000 classic “Basic Economics.” 
In addition, his 1993 collection of essays called “Is Reality Optional?” contains an essay about honesty which has a very unexpected spin to it.

We learn that honesty is not just a moral virtue, it’s also a form of human capital that varies greatly from culture to culture and from group to group within a particular culture.

I explore themes from those 3 Sowell books and I interview Dan Ariely, author of 
"The Honest Truth about Dishonesty: How we lie to everyone, especially ourselves," published in 2012.  

Notes to help you get the most out of this episode:

• My three favorite Dan Ariely books;
1. "Predictably Irrational" (2008)
2. "The Upside of Irrationality" (2010)
3. "The Honest Truth about Dishonesty" (2012)

• This episodes' song list:
1. "Honesty" by Billy Joel
2. PS22 Children's Choir rendition of "Honesty" 
3. "A Matter of Trust" by Billy Joel
4. "Honesty" Saxaphone Cover by  Max Sax
5. "Honor Pledge Song" by Princeton Triangle Club
6.  "Honesty" orchestral version by the Japanese Army Band
7. "One Piece at a Time" by Johnny Cash
8. "And So it Goes" by Billy Joel
9. "Piano Man" by Billy Joel
10. "She's Always a Woman" by Billy Joel
11.  "Lullabye" by Billy Joel
12. "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant" by Billy Joel
13. "Two Thousand Years" by Billy Joel
14.  "An Innocent Man" by Billy Joel
15.  "Honesty" Violin cover by Shiki

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