Lives Well Lived

CASS SUNSTEIN: the nudge towards a better future

7 snips
May 22, 2025
Cass Sunstein, a renowned legal scholar and behavioral economist from Harvard, dives into the art of 'nudging'—a concept that influences decision-making while respecting individual choice. He tackles ethical dilemmas surrounding autonomy and manipulation. The discussion also highlights climate justice, emphasizing the moral duties of high-emission countries in global accountability. Sunstein's insights extend to organ donation ethics, contrasting opt-in and opt-out models, and the rise of animal welfare awareness, showcasing how small changes can lead to significant impacts.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
INSIGHT

Nudging Preserves Freedom

  • A nudge preserves freedom but steers decisions for better outcomes.
  • It lets individuals choose otherwise yet subtly guides beneficial choices.
INSIGHT

Sludge Hampers Freedom

  • Sludge consists of frictions and administrative burdens that inhibit beneficial actions.
  • It acts like quicksand slowing or blocking access to services and benefits.
INSIGHT

Ethics of Nudge and Manipulation

  • Ethical nudging requires respecting individuals' capacity for reflective choice.
  • Manipulation occurs when nudges bypass genuine deliberation and treat people as objects.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app