Cents and Sensibility

"In Cents and Sensibility, Morson and Schapiro argue persuasively that the vast intellectual gulf between economics and the humanities is a tragedy for all of us since it compromises our ability to understand some of the most important trends of our times. The authors show us that this divide is not inevitable: they show steps to close it."--Robert J. Shiller, Nobel Prize-winning economist and author of Irrational Exuberance

"An erudite but take-no-prisoners tour of our hyperspecialized academic world, Cents and Sensibility cleaves universities at their arthritic departmental joints--and mercilessly pokes some of the sorest spots. This book is welcome reading for scholars in all walks of intellectual life."--Philip E. Tetlock, coauthor of Superforecasting: The Art and Science of Prediction

"Enjoy this delightful book for its warmth, charm, and easy manner. But while you are doing that, you will find yourself learning a good deal about economics and the role of the humanities in today?s world. Morson and Schapiro are a rare and valuable pair."--Michael S. McPherson, coauthor of Lesson Plan: An Agenda for Change in American Higher Education

"Cents and Sensibility offers an exciting approach to invigorating teaching and research in economics, one that will be controversial in a good way. Rather than using a snippet from a movie or song to illustrate an economic point, Morson and Schapiro advocate extended immersion in deep works of art to improve economic decision making."--Jonathan B. Wight, author of Ethics in Economics

"This highly original book makes a significant contribution to current debates in higher education. At a time when the sciences and humanities appear to be rivals, Morson and Schapiro propose mutually beneficial cooperation between them. Cents and Sensibility makes the case that economics can learn from the insights of a central field in the humanities, literary studies; at the same time, the book offers a new, thought-provoking approach to literature."--Thomas Pavel, author of The Lives of the Novel