The 2025 Dewey Lecture in Law and Philosophy: Goods That People Buy but Wish Did Not Exist

Some goods are bad. People are willing to pay for things that they do not enjoy, and wish did not exist. Possible examples include ties, high heels, social media platforms, funerals, and weddings.  They might even be willing to pay a great deal for such goods, whether the currency involves time or money.  Collective action, private or public, is necessary to eliminate goods that people consume but wish did not exist. Legal responses could improve social welfare and increase liberty.

Cass R. Sunstein is the Robert Walmsley University Professor at Harvard Law School