“[I]ncreased choice among goods and services may contribute little or nothing to the kind of freedom that counts. ...[I]t may impair freedom by taking time and energy we'd be better off devoting to other matters.”

The Paradox of Choice (2004)

Adopted from Wikiquote. Last update Oct. 27, 2021. History

Help us to complete the source, original and additional information

Do you have more details about the quote "[I]ncreased choice among goods and services may contribute little or nothing to the kind of freedom that counts. ...[I]…" by Barry Schwartz?
Barry Schwartz photo
Barry Schwartz 17
American psychologist 1946

Related quotes

Theodore Schultz photo

“And for man to look upon himself as a capital good, even if it did not impair his freedom, may seem to debase him”

Theodore Schultz (1902–1998) American economist

Source: "Investment in human capital," 1961, p. 2; As cited in: David L. Levinson (2005) Community Colleges: A Reference Handbook, p. 156
Context: The mere thought of investment in human beings is offensive to some among us. Our values and beliefs inhibit us from looking upon human beings as capital goods, except in slavery, and this we abhor... To treat human beings as wealth that can be augmented by investment runs counter to deeply held values. It seems to reduce man once again to a mere material component, something akin to property. And for man to look upon himself as a capital good, even if it did not impair his freedom, may seem to debase him... (But) by investing in themselves, people can enlarge the range of choice available to them. It is one way free men can enhance their welfare.

Jim Butcher photo
Thomas C. Schelling photo
J.D. Fortune photo

“Being part of a rock band takes a lot of energy. That is one reason I became a vegetarian. I feel better physically, I have a lot more energy and I feel better emotionally knowing that I am not contributing to the suffering of animals worldwide. Remember, every time you sit down to eat you have a choice to make. I hope you choose to make a difference.”

J.D. Fortune (1973) Canadian singer and songwriter

“J.D. Fortune GoVeg.com Public Service Announcement,” video ad for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (16 July 2008) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhrxhmLG96c.

Geert Wilders photo

“In my fight for freedom and against the Islamization of the Netherlands, I will never let anyone silence me. No matter the cost, no matter by whom, whatever the consequences may be.”

Geert Wilders (1963) Dutch politician

Statement of Geert Wilders during His Interrogation by the State Police (9 December 2014) http://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/4940/geert-wilders-police-interrogation
2010s

Benjamin N. Cardozo photo

“Of that freedom one may say that it is the matrix, the indispensable condition, of nearly every other form of freedom.”

Benjamin N. Cardozo (1870–1938) United States federal judge

Palko v. Connecticut, 302 U.S. 319, 327, (1937)
Judicial opinions

Ottobah Cugoano photo
Immanuel Kant photo

“All that is required for this enlightenment is freedom; and particularly the least harmful of all that may be called freedom, namely, the freedom for man to make public use of his reason in all matters.”

Immanuel Kant (1724–1804) German philosopher

What is Enlightenment? (1784)
Context: A public can only arrive at enlightenment slowly. Through revolution, the abandonment of personal despotism may be engendered and the end of profit-seeking and domineering oppression may occur, but never a true reform of the state of mind. Instead, new prejudices, just like the old ones, will serve as the guiding reins of the great, unthinking mass.
All that is required for this enlightenment is freedom; and particularly the least harmful of all that may be called freedom, namely, the freedom for man to make public use of his reason in all matters. But I hear people clamor on all sides: Don't argue! The officer says: Don't argue, drill! The tax collector: Don't argue, pay! The pastor: Don't argue, believe!

Amanda Filipacchi photo

Related topics