The Genius of Thomas Sowell

"Honesty & Sowell" with Dan Ariely

Apr 22, 2024

Behavioral economics professor Dan Ariely discusses honesty in relation to Thomas Sowell's work, exploring its variations across cultures. The podcast delves into the role of honesty in communities and economies, societal norms, academic dishonesty, and the contagious nature of dishonesty. The conversation also touches on the consequences of underpaying for coffee in Japan and the importance of trust in modern society.

02:12:38

Episode guests

Dan Ariely

Highlights

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Trust vs Competence in Business Relationships

01:16

Introduction

4min

Exploring the Genius of Billy Joel and the Ideas of Dan Arielli

3min

The Role of Honesty in Communities and Economies

13min

The Nexus of Honesty and Society's Moral Fabric

20min

The Complex Nature of Academic Dishonesty and Altruistic Cheating

22min

Consequences of Underpaying for Coffee in Japan and Insights on Honesty

3min

The Contagious Nature of Dishonesty

8min

Exploring Honesty and Trust in Modern Society

31min

Ethical Dilemmas in Academia

26min

10.

Reflections on Shoplifting and Trust Erosion in Society

3min

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

THERE ARE 3 WAYS TO SUPPORT THE PODCAST:

1) Support the show financially by subscribing with a monthly contribution on Patreon: www.Patreon.com/SowellGenius
The money raised through Patreon supports our efforts to popularize the books and ideas of Thomas Sowell.
----------------------------------------------
2) Rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts. This helps a lot by nudging the show to the top of Google searches. I really appreciate the many positive reviews, especially this one by Jonsby: "This is one of the few podcasts that I actually slow down so I can savor it!"
----------------------------------------------
3) Purchase our Thomas Sowell Post It Note pads: You can find all 300+ digital images of the post it notes HERE, feel free to download them and use them however you like.
To purchase pads of printed post it notes, please visit our shop

Support the show

• Find me on X (Twitter) at @alanwolan
• Email me at WolanAlan@gmail.com
• Support the show at https://www.patreon.com/SowellGenius
• Purchase podcast merch at https://www.etsy.com/shop/GeniusSowell
• See all my links at www.alanwolan.com