One sentence summary
A thought-provoking and engaging book that delves into unconventional topics and uses economic principles to explain human behavior and societal phenomena.
Book genre
Non-fiction, economics, sociology, popular science.
Main topic of the book
The book explores various societal issues and human behavior through the lens of economics, challenging traditional thinking and providing unique insights on topics such as global cooling, prostitution, and terrorism.
Key ideas
- Economic principles can be used to explain seemingly unrelated and unconventional topics.
- Incentives play a significant role in shaping human behavior.
- Sometimes, the most straightforward solution is not the most effective one.
- The impact of individual actions can have unintended consequences on society as a whole.
Main parts of the book and a short summary
- Introduction: The authors give an overview of the book and their unconventional approach to analyzing societal issues.
- Chapter 1: “How is a Street Prostitute Like a Department-Store Santa?”: This chapter explores the economics of prostitution and how the same principles apply to other markets.
- Chapter 2: “Why Should Suicide Bombers Buy Life Insurance?”: The authors use economic analysis to explain the motivation behind suicide bombings and suggest a surprising solution to deter potential bombers.
- Chapter 3: “Unbelievable Stories About Apathy and Altruism”: This chapter examines the impact of incentives on altruistic behaviors and challenges the traditional notion of “good deeds”.
- Chapter 4: “What Do Al Gore and Mount Pinatubo Have in Common?”: The authors discuss global warming and present unconventional solutions to combat climate change.
- Chapter 5: “Why Are There So Many Different Kinds of Cheap Flight?”: This chapter explores the economics behind the airline industry and why budget airlines are so successful.
- Chapter 6: “Perfect Parenting, Part II; or: Would a Roshanda by Any Other Name Smell as Sweet?”: The authors use economic analysis to challenge long-held beliefs about parenting and the impact of a child’s name on their future success.
- Conclusion: The authors summarize their main arguments and encourage readers to question conventional wisdom and think critically about societal issues.
Key takeaways
- Economic principles can be applied to a wide range of topics, leading to unexpected insights and solutions.
- Incentives are a powerful motivating force that can shape human behavior.
- Individual actions can have significant impacts on society as a whole.
- Challenging traditional thinking and approaching problems from a new perspective can lead to innovative solutions.
Author’s background and qualifications
Steven D. Levitt is an American economist and co-author of the best-selling book Freakonomics. He received his Ph.D. from MIT and is currently a professor of economics at the University of Chicago. Levitt is known for his research on various topics, including crime, education, and climate change, and has received numerous awards for his work.
Target audience
Anyone interested in unconventional and thought-provoking perspectives on societal issues and human behavior. This book will appeal to both fans of economics and those looking for a different take on popular topics.
Publisher and first publication date
Super Freakonomics was published by William Morrow on October 20, 2009.