|
|
DIAMOND-WATER PARADOX: The perplexing observation that water, which is more useful than diamonds, has a lower price. If price is related to utility, how can this occur? This paradox was first proposed by classical economists in the 19th century and was subsequently used as a stepping stone for developing the notion of marginal utility and the role it plays in the demand price of a good. The paradox is magically cleared up with an understanding of marginal utility and total utility. People are willing to pay a higher price for goods with greater marginal utility. As such, water which is plentiful has enormous total utility, but a low price because of a low marginal utility. Diamonds, however, have less total utility because they are less plentiful, but a high price because of a high marginal utility.
Visit the GLOSS*arama
|
|
|
|
|
INFORMATION The transfer of knowledge from one person to another. Information is a flow concept. It requires someone (or something) to do the sending and someone to do the receiving. Information is a valuable commodity that provides benefits, but also incurs an opportunity cost to produce, meaning information is never perfect or complete. The existence of asymmetric information (some have more information than others) gives rise to the problems of adverse selection, moral hazard, and the principal-agent problem.
Complete Entry | Visit the WEB*pedia |
|
|
WHITE GULLIBON
[What's This?]
Today, you are likely to spend a great deal of time surfing the Internet seeking to buy either a package of 3 by 5 index cards, the ones without lines or a blue mechanical pencil. Be on the lookout for telephone calls from former employers.
Your Complete Scope
This isn't me! What am I?
|
|
|
The average length of a "business lunch" is about 36 minutes.
|
|
|
"The truth is not for all men, but only for those who seek it. " -- Ayn Rand, writer
|
|
RJE
RAND Journal of Economics
|
|
|
Tell us what you think about AmosWEB. Like what you see? Have suggestions for improvements? Let us know. Click the User Feedback link.
User Feedback
|
|
