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The Fallacy of Composition: Why What’s Good for One Person Isn’t Always Good for Everyone
The “fallacy of composition” is a concept originated by Samuelson, an American economist and Nobel laureate. It refers to the idea that aggregating rational individual choices can lead to irrational outcomes for the group. To illustrate, Samuelson provides a vivid example. In an open-air theatre, spectators initially sit on the ground. Those in back cannot see well, so they stand up. Seeing them stand, others follow suit. Soon everyone is standing, yet no one’s view has improved. Some spectators then stand on tiptoes, prompting others to do the same. The result is declining comfort for all, and rising individual costs, exemplifying the “fallacy of composition.” In life, similar dynamics emerge…