Following his popular books "The Armchair Economist" and "More Sex Is Safer Sex", Slate columnist Landsburg uses concepts from mathematics, economics, and physics to address the big questions in philosophy.

The Fourth Edition represents the most comprehensive revision to date, systematically covering modern economic theory. Aided by examples, illustrations and step-by-step explanations, it provides a clear connection between theory and policy. Highlighting aggregate supply and aggregate demand, the Fourth Edition features new sections on current issues in unemployment, inflation, growth, productivity, and fiscal and monetary policy. More so than in other texts, it provides a complete selection of applied micro topics, including chapters on agriculture, natural resources, government regulation, politics and economics. The many special features that enhance the text include: ``key concepts,'' ``key terms'' and ``key-point summaries;'' running glossaries; many charts, graphs and tables; and end-of-chapter problems.

"This is a book about how the world works. When you finish the first chapter, you will know how to analyze the effects of sales and excise taxes, and you will have discovered the surprising result that a tax on buyers and a tax on sellers have exactly the same effects. When you finish the second chapter, you will understand why oranges, on average, taste better in New York than in Florida. In each succeeding chapter, you will be exposed to new ideas in economics and to their surprising consequences for the world around you. To learn what price theory is, dig in and begin reading."--Page xiv (Preface).

How should we feel about taxes that redistribute income? Ask how parents feel about children who forcibly "redistribute" other children's toys. How should we respond to those who complain that their neighbors are too wealthy? Ask how parents respond when children complain that their siblings got too much cake. By insisting that fairness can't mean one thing for children and another for adults, Landsburg shows that the instincts of the parent have profound consequences for economic justice.