Society & Culture / Philosophical Theory / Ethics & Moral Philosophy

Your Life Is Not a Product: Why Modern Choices Are Trapping You

Beyond Price: Essays on Birth and Death

J. David Velleman

J. David Velleman, a philosopher and bioethicist at NYU, challenges our deepest assumptions about life, death, and autonomy in his book *Beyond Price: Essays on Birth and Death*. He argues that modern society has turned your existence into a commodity, measured by cost-benefit analysis, and that the obsession with choice is actually a trap. From the paradox of the 'right to die'—which can pressure the vulnerable to justify their survival—to the ethics of anonymous gamete donation, which severs biological roots essential for identity, Velleman offers a shocking reframe. Discover why life isn't a gift but a struggle, why your worst failures might be your greatest assets, and how to reclaim your inherent dignity in a world that wants to put a price tag on everything.