"Honesty & Sowell" with Dan Ariely

6 snips

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.

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Introduction

00:00 • 4min

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

04:13 • 3min

The Role of Honesty in Communities and Economies

06:43 • 13min

The Nexus of Honesty and Society's Moral Fabric

19:40 • 20min

The Complex Nature of Academic Dishonesty and Altruistic Cheating

40:01 • 22min

Consequences of Underpaying for Coffee in Japan and Insights on Honesty

01:01:54 • 3min

The Contagious Nature of Dishonesty

01:04:29 • 8min

Exploring Honesty and Trust in Modern Society

01:12:20 • 31min

Ethical Dilemmas in Academia

01:42:58 • 26min

Reflections on Shoplifting and Trust Erosion in Society

02:08:29 • 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

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