Monday, April 11, 2016

Ceteris Paribus

The Ceteris Paribus assumption gets unconsciously used all the time. Someone thinks they will be happier with more money, for example. Which they will, in an instant.

But it will not last. It's a simplifying tactic, removing from consideration all other variables, including time. It assumes everything outside the model stays the same.

Which is nonsense, but it's empowering nonsense. And it's grasping nonsense, taking things for granted in order to try to get understanding or control. That's not all bad.

But the larger context shouldn't be forgotten. Eve wants the apple. She's narrowed her vision down to the apple and thinks it will make her happy. Okay, she's got the apple. 

Oops. The price was paradise.

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