Question

The person who smokes cigarettes cannot possibly be thinking in terms of costs and benefits because it has been proven that cigarette smoking increases one's chances of getting lung cancer. Do you agree or disagree with the part of the statement that reads "the person who smokes cigarettes cannot possibly be thinking in terms of costs and benefits"? Explain your answer.

Short answer

Disagree. It's incorrect to generalize that those who smoke cigarettes can't possibly consider costs and benefits. Personal decisions, including smoking, are subjective and individual. Smokers may acknowledge the health risks, yet find the perceived benefits outweigh these risks. The 'costs' and 'benefits' in decision making are individual and subjective, varying from person to person.

Step-by-step solution

Analyzing the Statement

Firstly, consider the given statement and its underlying assumption that a smoker fails to think in terms of costs (health risks) and benefits (pleasure or stress relief) because of the hazard of lung cancer. This interpretation ignores the fact that individuals could have different perspectives on benefits and costs.

Exploring the Individual's Perspective

It is possible that a smoker might well understand the risk of lung cancer (cost), yet for them, the benefits, such as stress relief, pleasure, social acceptance, might outweigh this risk. This is a subjective matter and varies from person to person.

Formulating the Argument

It's important now to formulate your argument, i.e., whether you agree or disagree with the statement. Given our analysis, it becomes evident that we can disagree with the statement as it generalizes all smokers' perspectives, neglecting the subjectivity and individuality of decision making.

Key concepts

Individual Decision Making

When we talk about individual decision making, it involves the process by which a person comes to a conclusion and acts upon it. Each person has their own set of priorities, values, and preferences that guide these decisions.

• Firstly, decisions are not always purely rational; emotions and personal experiences play a crucial role.
• For a smoker, the decision to continue smoking may be based on the perceived benefits, such as pleasure, stress relief, or social factors.

This highlights that individuals weigh costs and benefits differently. For one person, the health risks of smoking might outweigh any benefits, while another might prioritize immediate gratification or social interactions over long-term health concerns. Thus, individual decision making is highly personal and varied.

Subjective Risk Assessment

Subjective risk assessment refers to how a person personally perceives risks, which might differ significantly from objective or statistical analysis. People evaluate risks based on personal experiences, beliefs, and knowledge.

• For instance, a smoker might acknowledge the risk of lung cancer but perceive it as less significant due to a lack of immediate impact.
• They may also regard the benefits of smoking as more immediate or necessary, influencing their risk assessment.

It is essential to recognize that subjective risk assessment can lead individuals to make decisions that appear irrational to others. Everyone has their way of evaluating what they consider as threats and opportunities, thus affecting their choices accordingly.

Health Economics

The field of health economics examines how people make choices regarding their health and the resources they allocate to it. It considers how these choices affect health outcomes and the efficiencies of health care systems.

• One crucial aspect is how individuals weigh their current lifestyle choices against future health risks.
• For example, smokers might prioritize the current satisfaction from smoking over future health care costs related to treating possible illnesses.

Health economics also studies the broader impact of these personal choices on society, such as increased healthcare costs and loss of productivity due to smoking-related illnesses. It emphasizes the importance of understanding individual preferences in shaping health care policies and interventions.