Economists have spent too much time arguing for trade, says Mary hirschvelt. She wants to see them integrate their insights about how markets work with these other porspectives of human flourishing. Econ talk is part of the library of economics and liberty. For more econ talk, go to econ talk dot org.
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.