Can/Should the Value of human life/ves be Calculated?

Whether you view it as a personal issue or one of economics I'm interested in how people view this.

A hot potato for sure.

Whether or not it should or can be calculated, I'd like to point out that it is being calculated.

The obvious examples are life insurance, but wages/salary also put prices on peoples heads.

Similarly, when we choose to have a relationship with someone we do mental calculations, even if we don't actually express this value concretely.

A world where the values of individuals are not 'calculated', where all actions are driven out of love and instinct would certainly be an interesting contrast.

Yeah lets put a price-tag on everybody and get over with it.
If you can't pay for your own upkeep society will pay for you, up to that pricetag.
After that you will be disposed of.
What a perfect world that would be. ^_^

@hornet ,
I sense sarcasm, yet I have this feeling that there are many politicians who would eagerly sign such a bill

Absolutely. If it doesn't have a price tag on it, no one gives a shit. Environmentalists have started to do this with open spaces by asking just what an open space is "worth" when calculating the "cost" of wildlife habitat, the replenishing of aquifers, light and noise pollution, and other costs we don't really see. When this is added up, some open spaces are "worth" more than the development that may go in, which is a way to sway the minds of short-sighted politicians and otherwise communicate abstract thoughts in a "money talks" sort of world.

So why not do it with people? They already did a study like this in California. A study demonstrated how investing in poor kids would keep them out of prison, which costs incredible amounts of money. Of course no one bought it. They would rather spend millions on incarcerations (which isn't a hand-out) than hundreds of thousands on after-school programs (which is a hand-out).

No, calculating the value of human life is just far too cynical. Once the price of a life is established, then why not say it's okay to kill somebody if a certain amount is paid in remuneration?

Originally Posted by Mutatio NOmenis

No, calculating the value of human life is just far too cynical. Once the price of a life is established, then why not say it's okay to kill somebody if a certain amount is paid in remuneration?

I believe the mafia refer to them as hitmen... except they view the punishment for the taking of ones freedom and/or possible life as a monetary value. Also let us not forget the mad "street cred" one receives when killing another at the orders of their superior. My God it sounds like the army! How much does a solider make per year? $11,000 to start? How cheap life is.. :D

Also given our not to distant past slaves were bought and sold cheaper than farm equipment, but of course we have evolved past the point of the bottom class being enslaved to the elite.. Damn, almost sounds like capitalism!

Bazinga!
I used sarcasm :D

Originally Posted by NotSoRighteousRob

I believe the mafia refer to them as hitmen... except they view the punishment for the taking of ones freedom and/or possible life as a monetary value. Also let us not forget the mad "street cred" one receives when killing another at the orders of their superior. My God it sounds like the army! How much does a solider make per year? $11,000 to start? How cheap life is.. :D

Also given our not to distant past slaves were bought and sold cheaper than farm equipment, but of course we have evolved past the point of the bottom class being enslaved to the elite.. Damn, almost sounds like capitalism!

Bazinga!
I used sarcasm :D

Try being a mercenary- the pay is even better! You can make 40 Grand a year doing mercenary work as a starting salary.

Of course there should be a price. The argument always arises because people can't agree on how to objectively put a price tag on things. I say we let INTJs put prices on such things since we always try to be as rational and objective as possible.

Value is going to fluctuate anyway, so even if it were calculated, it's going to change. Some value is probably better than no value anyhow.

Monetary value isn't the best kind of value to have, though. There can be emotional value, sentimental value, ethical value. I think things would be pretty dire if there were no value (a non-calculated value being nearly the same as no value for practical purposes - you can't assign what you don't have)