(2005-06-14) Postrel Many Choices

Virginia Postrel counters the Too Many Choices arguments of people like Barry Schwartz (Paradox Of Choice) and Robert Lane. Ultimately, the debate about choice is not about Market-s but about character. Liberty and responsibility really do go together; it's not just a platitude. The more Freedom we have to control our lives, the more responsibility we have for how they turn out. In a world of constraints, learning to be happy with what you're given is a virtue. In a world of choices, virtue comes from learning to make Commitment-s without regrets. And commitment, in turn, requires Self Confidence and Self Knowledge.