Ariel Colonomos

Ariel Colonomos, a CNRS research professor at Sciences Po and author of "Pricing Lives: The Political Art of Measurement," explores the complex interplay between politics and the valuation of lives. He highlights how decisions on resource allocation reflect profound ethical dilemmas, revealing tensions between ethics, justice, and governance. Colonomos connects historical contexts to modern political frameworks, investigates Shakespeare's take on human worth, and underscores the need for global cooperation in addressing crises like hostage situations. The discussion navigates how human lives are commodified in political and economic systems.

Ariel Colonomos, a CNRS Research Professor at Sciences Po and an expert on international relations, delves into the provocative themes of his book, *Pricing Lives: The Political Art of Measurement*. He explores how societal values 'price' human lives differently, influenced by proximity and context. Discussions include the ethical quandaries of valuing lives in government and market sectors, emphasizing the disparities in valuing citizens versus non-citizens and the urgent need for global cooperation in humanitarian crises.