MORAL HAZARD looks at Halachic issues from an economic mindset. Behind the pragmatics of economics is the scientific process of economics, and it stems from a unique outlook on society and decision-making, providing an effective language for investigations into Halacha.
As can be attested by almost anyone who has
tasted stolen chocolate, crime does pay.
If we act exclusively according to our own best interests, we sin when it appears to be beneficial to sin and stop sinning when it no longer seems beneficial. If a person sins today and no longer sins tomorrow it is either because the (perceived) world changed (external factors were modified) or because his/her preferences were altered (internal factors were modified) or due to a combination of these factors. Read Full Article How are we to know what quality or action demonstrates excess? Would the gemara tell us to refrain from doing something without including at least some indication of what it is we’re supposed to be refraining from? ‘Excessive fear’ is a vague term that probably means something different to each of us. Is there a more concrete halachic definition of ‘excess’ in this context? Read Full Article
The economic approach to risk notes that there is a cost to risk aversion: like Gretzky said, you miss all the shots you never take. In other words, if you don’t gamble, you can’t win. Now this form of encouragement may be appropriate when you are trying to convince a child to play sports or study for a test, but it’s probably not what you would say to someone who is contemplating trying cocaine. Similarly, it would be foolish to say to an observant Jew, “Hey, it might be kosher—why not take a chance?” It is difficult to perceive any benefit to risk when the worst-case scenario involves God’s wrath. But the truth is that risk aversion—even when dealing with religion or narcotics—always comes at a cost and it is important to recognize this cost. Read Full Article |
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2008 NISHMA