Social Norms: The Invisible Hand of Property Rights

Resources

Books

• "Theory of Moral Sentiments" by Adam Smith - Discussed as a foundational text for understanding human behavior, love, and the concept of being "lovely" and adhering to social norms.
• "Evil Inside Human Violence and Cruelty" by Roy Baumeister - Mentioned as a dark but insightful book that explores the justifications murderers create for their actions, highlighting the human desire to be seen as justified even in extreme cases.

Videos & Documentaries

• "Act Five" (This American Life episode) - An episode featuring prisoners performing Hamlet, forcing them to confront the idea of murder and their own justifications, serving as an example of confronting one's actions.

Research & Studies

• "The Shampoo Budget of a Chain like Hilton" - An empirical question posed regarding the cost savings for hotel chains by switching from small shampoo bottles to wall dispensers, suggesting it's a significant financial consideration.

Articles & Papers

• Gill's essay on property rights and shampoo (Published in the Library of Economics and Liberty) - The essay that inspired the podcast conversation, exploring how norms and social conventions, rather than just government laws, enforce property rights.

People Mentioned

• Adam Smith - Referenced for his ideas on human motivation, particularly the desire to be loved and to be lovely, and the concept of an "impartial spectator."
• Immanuel Kant - Mentioned for his concept of the categorical imperative, which suggests acting as if one's actions were to become a universal law.
• Friedrich Hayek - Referenced for his ideas on emergent order and the evolution of norms, particularly in his work "Law, Legislation and Liberty."
• Dan Klein - Mentioned as a previous guest on EconTalk with whom Russ Roberts discussed Adam Smith's "Theory of Moral Sentiments."
• Mike Munger - Mentioned as a previous guest on EconTalk who discussed the idea of "obedience to the unenforceable."
• Joe McGinnell - Mentioned as a guest on a recent EconTalk episode discussing Tokyo, highlighting differences in cultural norms and business practices.
• Batan - Mentioned in the context of travel broadening the mind, but with the caveat that one brings oneself along, and encountering different customs and norms.

Organizations & Institutions

• Library of Economics and Liberty - The organization that hosts EconTalk and publishes relevant essays, including the one discussed in the episode.
• Shalem College - Russ Roberts' affiliation.
• Stanford University's Hoover Institution - Russ Roberts' affiliation.
• University of Washington - Anthony Gill's affiliation.
• Four Seasons Hotels - Credited with starting the practice of providing small shampoo bottles around 1970.

Websites & Online Resources

• econtalk.org - The website for the EconTalk podcast, where listeners can subscribe, comment, and find episode-related information and archives.
• mail.econtalk.org - The email address for EconTalk.

Other Resources

• "Life's Little Mysteries" exercise - An exercise Anthony Gill uses with his graduate students to cultivate curiosity by posing questions about everyday, simple mysteries.
• "How to be Wonderful" course - A one-credit course taught by Anthony Gill to undergraduates, focusing on developing curiosity and wonder about the world.
• "Act Five" from This American Life - Mentioned as a powerful audio piece about prisoners performing Hamlet.