Common Sense Economics studies mankind as an animal. All of what mankind does takes place in a herd setting. Economics is more than the study of unlimited wants vs. limited resources. Herd behavior explains much of what individuals do in the market and in dealing with government.
Academia studies mankind also but they treat the species according to the many euphemisms people use to define themselves and all worldly activities.
Euphemisms begin with how humans view themselves and continue with all people see and do throughout their lives. The first euphemism is born of instinct. The human species is assumed to be special within the universe. Jesus taught that man was made in the image of God. This is one of Jesus’s teachings that is almost universally believed. Jesus also taught that the secular world was wicked but humans almost always believe in the goodness of human nature. They define themselves as good and rapidly forget the horrible things they and their country do and have done. For example, Americans are sickened by terrorists acts like beheading but don’t even realize how many innocents have been killed by the American Military in wars that have nothing to do with national security. Never is it mentioned that the black population was managed with terrorism from the end of the civil war until the 1960s. The number of Americans beheaded by Muslims will never equal the thousands of blacks who were lynched in the south.
After exalting the entire species humans assume their country is the best there is and more righteous than all of the others. Americans define their country as doing good around the world and ignore anything that would indicate the contrary. Humans are deemed good. Human nature comes out good on balance. Everyone is special and has intrinsic value.
There are great advantages to living ones life with these irrational notions. It is tough living in a brutal world where self interest drives all but a few of life’s activities. Without escaping into fantasy most of the time there is just too much stress to handle.
Academic study embraces all popular euphemisms and even adds some.
Common Sense Economics studies human behavior the same way herds of animals are observed. So far mainstream economists have not said once or done a thing that has utility to society. Insight is never forthcoming when so many basic assumptions are erroneous.
Set aside euphemisms long enough to make observations and everything people do makes sense. Also, humans are completely capable of functioning outside of a herd setting. Herding is the path of least resistance. In an emergency, folks can function autonomously but they always fall back into a herd setting. The herd is where freedom is traded for comfort. Forward progress is made by dominating others.
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