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ekon talk is a podcast from the library of economics and liberty. This week's guest is economist, theologian and author mary hershfeld. Mary argues that human beings should not try to maximize their well being by focusing on material goods such as income or time. Instead we should look at what are worthy of pursuit: justice, close relationships with your family; these higher goods aren't constrained by income.

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.