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A big idea that shapes how we understand our place in the world - from the idea’s creator.

What are the big ideas shaping our world?  This new series from the BBC World Service picks the best ideas from economics to psychology, neuroscience to philosophy, political science to anthropology, and makes them easy to digest.

Each episode of "The Big Idea" outlines the important idea through the words of the person who’s developed the theory. In just nine minutes we offer a weekly chance to listen and feel just a little bit wiser.

The Big Idea: The importance of fairness

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The importance of fairness

14/11/2020 GMT

BBC World Service - The Big Idea, The importance of fairness

Why it pays to be fair, and why people are less selfish than you think

Why it pays to be fair, and why people are less selfish than you think.

Ernst Fehr is well named: he’s an economist who writes about fairness. In fact, until his pioneering work, economists had been dismissive about whether fairness was a subject worthy of study. Now some have tipped Fehr to win a Nobel Prize. David Edmonds speaks to him about why it pays to be fair, and why people are less selfish than you think.

Presented by David Edmonds
Produced by Robbie Wojciechowski for the BBC World Service

Image: Statue of the scales of justice (Credit: Getty Images)

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