Richard H. Thaler and Cass R. Sunstein's book Nudge: Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth, and Happiness brought behavioral economics to the masses, beginning a discussion of libertarian paternalism and the many ways that "choice architects" can help nudge people to make better choices for themselves without forcing certain outcomes on anyone. Some of their examples fall in the realm of health policy, as is also the case of Daniel Kahneman's recent book, Thinking, Fast and Slow, which examines various cognitive errors people make in their judgments, choices, and conclusions, as well as how we might correct them. But the conversation has only just begun.
Building on the success of the behavioral economics movement, this conference will further develop the scholarly discussion by focusing on key issues in health law policy, bioethics, and biotechnology by addressing both broad conceptual questions and more specific policy applications.
The full conference agenda is now available on our website. Highlights include:
Keynote: Cass Sunstein, Robert Walmsley University Professor, Harvard Law School
Plenary 1: Alan M. Garber, Provost, Harvard University; Mallinckrodt Professor of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School; Professor of Economics, Faculty of Arts and Sciences; Professor of Public Policy, Harvard Kennedy School of Government; and Professor, Department of Health Policy and Management, Harvard School of Public Health
Plenary 2: Russell Korobkin, Richard C. Maxwell Professor of Law, UCLA School of Law
Plenary 3: Michael Hallsworth, Principal Advisor, The Behavioural Insights Team (UK)
Attendance is free and open to the public, but space is limited and registration is required. Register here.
For questions, contact petrie-flom@law.harvard.edu or 617-496-4662.