Harry Pollard wrote: > > Bruce, > > I began the discussion with the two basic assumptions of Classical > Political Economy: > > 1. People's desires are unlimited. > 2. People seek to satisfy their desires with the least exertion. > > Keith added a third: > > 3. People have a curiosity beyond present needs for survival > > It should be understood that these are simply assumptions one may make > about a human being in order to begin a study that concerns him. > > If they are not correct then obviously one won't use them. However, > it is difficult - or impossible - to find an exception
It is easy to find many exceptions. My desires are not unlimited. In fact I don't want any more than I have. In fact I would like to reduce what I have; e.g. I would like to dispense with my auto. And most of the people I know are of similar orientation. Further, most people seek to satisfy their desires "with the least exertion" -- *to a point*. Few people would be satisfied with a life in which all desires were met with no exertion whatever. This would be a perfectly stupid and meaningless existence that would bore anyone to death very quickly. Alan _____________________________________________________________________
