Sacrifice = opportunity cost

[Laurence Horn]

On Aug 1, 2012, at 12:54 PM, Dan Goncharoff wrote:

> I don't understand why sacrifice and choice are exclusive.
>
> Abraham's sacrifice of Isaac is only a test if it is a choice.
>
> DanG

As Sarah told Abe, "It's not a choice, it's a child."

LH
>
>
> On Wed, Aug 1, 2012 at 4:44 AM, Benjamin Barrett <gogaku at ix.netcom.com>wrote:
>
>> ---------------------- Information from the mail header
>> -----------------------
>> Sender:       American Dialect Society <ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
>> Poster:       Benjamin Barrett <gogaku at IX.NETCOM.COM>
>> Subject:      Sacrifice = opportunity cost
>>
>> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>
>> My partner (Japanese native) pointed out today that the use by Olympians =
>> of the word "sacrifice" is odd. I had trouble fingering his objection, =
>> but then he pointed out that what they are calling sacrifices are =
>> choices not sacrifices.
>>
>> The OED seems to be outdated. The closest is: " The destruction or =
>> surrender of something valued or desired for the sake of something =
>> having, or regarded as having, a higher or a more pressing claim; the =
>> loss entailed by devotion to some other interest; also, the thing so =
>> devoted or surrendered."
>>
>> The AHD =
>> (http://education.yahoo.com/reference/dictionary/entry/sacrifice) says: =
>> "Forfeiture of something highly valued for the sake of one considered to =
>> have a greater value or claim."=20
>>
>> Olympians and athletes in general certainly do give up a lot in their =
>> pursuit of athletics, but this seems to be less lofty: opportunity cost; =
>> the giving up of something in the pursuit of something else (more highly =
>> valued).
>>
>> Benjamin Barrett
>> Seattle, WA=
>>
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>
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