title: Philosophical origins of the economic valuation of life.
abstract: Cost-benefit analysis--applying economic reasoning to increasingly complex health policy decisions--continues to be a source of vehement disagreement among its practitioners. re than merely technical issues in measurement and accounting are involved; basic social values embedded in different intellectual traditions are coming into conflict. The "human capital" and "willingness-to-pay" approaches can each aid policy formulation, but neither can substitute for open political process.
mesh_terms: D000066:Accounting / Q000379:methods; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003709:Democracy; D004467:Economics; D005102:Health Expenditures; D006291:Health Policy / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D010684:Philosophy; D011640:Public Policy; D040841:Resource Allocation; D012935:Social Justice; D012945:Social Values; D012946:Social Welfare; D014481:United States; D026712:Value of Life; D035862:Vulnerable Populations