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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.
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RATIONAL BEHAVIOR The notion that people make decisions based on the desire to obtain the greatest amount of satisfaction. Rational behavior essentially means that people prefer more to less. The presumption of rational behavior underlies most economic analysis, especially that applied to consumer demand theory.
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GRAY SKITTERY [What's This?]
Today, you are likely to spend a great deal of time lost in your local discount super center trying to buy either a handcrafted bird feeder or a New York Yankees baseball cap. Be on the lookout for slightly overweight pizza delivery guys. Your Complete Scope
This isn't me! What am I?
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In 1914, Ford paid workers who were age 22 or older $5 per day -- double the average wage offered by other car factories.
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"It takes generosity to discover the whole through others. If you realize you are only a violin, you can open yourself up to the world by playing your role in the concert. " -- Jacques Yves Cousteau, marine explorer
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IO Industrial Organization
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