> No, the logic is not the same at all. In the charity case the logic > is that your contribution is too small to change the relative marginal > suffering level among charities > Alex
But that is not why one contributes to charity. The reason is "sympathy" in the Smithian sense (Theory of Moral Sentiments). One identifies and sympathizes with some cause. The cause has needs year after year. The donor feels satisfaction from contributing to the cause. It is basically like other consumption. If one sympathizes with two causes, then one gives to both. Say, once one has given $500 to cause A, the marginal satisfaction is greater when the next dollar goes to cause B. That is also why one contributes continously rather than all at once. The marginal utility I derive from one more dollar is less today after having contributed $1000 than if I wait a year and donate another dollar. Fred Foldvary ===== [EMAIL PROTECTED]
