The Real Tragedies Are We Are So Very Rich, and Yet We Don't

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In the 19 thirties, john maynard canes thought we were about to arrive at a place where we'd have solved the economic problem a and his concern was, what are we going to do all this abundant leisure? So whatever thi thing is, it does get likema ha. And the real tragedy is we are so very rich, and yet we don't. Because i keep pursuing more and always feel that i have scarcety in my life. I'm not actually fully present to or enjoying the material goods that are right here in my living room.

Author, economist, and theologian Mary Hirschfeld of Villanova University talks about her book, Aquinas and the Market, with EconTalk host Russ Roberts. Hirschfeld looks at the nature of our economic activity as buyers and sellers and whether our pursuit of economic growth and material well-being comes at a cost. She encourages a skeptical stance about the ability of more stuff to produce true happiness and/or satisfaction. The conversation includes a critique of economic theory and the aspect of human satisfaction outside the domain of economists.