Schwartz on the Sunk-cost Fallacy in Iraq
From psychology professor Barry Schwartz comes this dismissal of the “we owe it to the fallen” argument for staying in Iraq: The ‘sunk-cost fallacy’.
You may attempt to justify the continued Iraq occupation in many ways, as the Bush administration has. Perhaps you think it will prevent further terror, democratize the Middle East or restrain Iran. Perhaps you think that leaving Iraq before “the job is done” will undermine the world’s confidence in U.S. promises to other nations.
But it is unacceptable to justify continued involvement in Iraq or any other conflict on the grounds that we “owe” it to those who have already fallen. That is a justification that has strong emotional appeal, but it is fallacious, and no one should be allowed to get away with it.
Man makes a compelling case.
