Talk:Paradox of value/Archives/2015

Picture of diamonds and water?
Can I ask for a nice picture for the article? Does anyone know how to do it? --Forich (talk) 20:10, 23 December 2009 (UTC)
 * I'll provide the water, if you provide the diamonds.--Jack Upland (talk) 11:25, 4 May 2015 (UTC)

Paradox of the "Paradox of value"
There never was a "paradox of value", only an error in thinking about water and diamonds. The article should consider this as a historical anecdote, not something that still has philosophical value today.

Adam Smith would have been willing to exchange a diamond for a glass of water if he had just spent a couple of days in a scorching desert. He never considered this fact, so the whole argument is wrong.

83.226.137.76 (talk) 19:40, 3 May 2015 (UTC)


 * In practice, most people would not give up the diamond. There are always going to be cheaper ways to get a glass of water.--Jack Upland (talk) 11:32, 4 May 2015 (UTC)
 * So you say most people would rather die than give up the diamond? What use is a diamond when you are dead? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 83.226.137.76 (talk) 00:34, 7 May 2015 (UTC)
 * No, I'm saying it's an unrealistic scenario. Rich people get rescued all the time without having to give up their wealth.--Jack Upland (talk) 02:25, 7 May 2015 (UTC)

"A paradox is a statement that apparently contradicts itself and yet might be true (or wrong at the same time)." How is a comparison of the value of a glass of water and the value of a diamond something "that apparently contradicts itself"? Water is abundant in most human environments, diamonds are not. Essential things we can get for free, we place little value in, but we like shiny things that display social status. But if you are forced to choose a glass of water or a diamond if you are dying of thirst, everyone would choose the glass of water. Where is the "paradox"? It's just common sense, and the whole idea is self evident. Therefore there is no paradox, there has never been one. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 83.226.137.76 (talk) 23:31, 8 May 2015 (UTC)