Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything by Steven D.

Levitt and
Stephen J. Dubner (2005)

The book is a collection of articles written by Levitt, an expert who had gained a reputation for applying
economic theory to diverse subjects not usually covered by "traditional" economists. In Freakonomics,
Levitt and Dubner argue that economics is, at root, the study of incentives.

Theme and technique

In Freakonomics there are three main rhetorical devices used; Allusions, Diction and Metaphors. While
reading the story I saw that at the core of Freakonomics is the concept of incentives. The concept of
incentives is a way of explaining why human beings do things. In general, humans behave a certain way
because they either perceive that behavior as offering a reward of some kind of a positive incentive, or
“carrot” that they avoid certain behaviors because those behaviors seem to lead to a punishment a
negative incentive, or “stick.” Intuitively, we all understand how incentives work: people work harder at
their jobs if they’re offered the incentive of a higher salary; people may avoid eating certain foods if the
foods offer a strong negative incentive of unhealthiness. Even so, Levitt and Dubner’s model of
incentives can often be somewhat illogical and paints a uniquely balanced picture of human behavior.

Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything, there are many rhetorical
devices listed and used to support the authors beliefs. Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner; the authors of
Freakonomics often use Ethos and Logos to back up their arguments and beliefs. In the book they used
the Allusion to briefly explained in the reader that the passing or casual reference are; an incidental
mention of something, either directly or by implication. The authors often use words or the message of
incentives to allude readers to some very heavily opinionated topics. The chapters of the book are often
allusions like; “How is the ku klux klan like a group of real estate agents”? The chapter itself talks about
the logistics of “Information Asymmetry” which is when someone uses their information and knowledge
to their own use and to gain power. Also the Metaphor that was of ten used and this is the example of
one phrase “He had thrown off the shackles of cubicle life and made himself happy.” (Levitt/Dubner 45)

Plot and Characterization

Today's society is heavy with opinion as to how the world works. Casual explanations are abundant in
our everyday lives due to their ability to appeal to the human desire to understand our surroundings. In
Freakonomics, a book co-authored by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner, the authors challenge
many of the truisms of today's society and also uncover relationships and details using economics as
their tool. Levitt is a world-renowned economist who is particularly known for his rare studies. Dubner is
a journalist who has written for both The New York Times and the New Yorker. Their co-authored book
is as equally unique as their collaboration. The combination of their talents has produced a text that has
the ability to artfully deliver economic studies that uncover fascinating truths as to how our world
works. The author's opinion of their work is stated clearly in their text, "Morality, it could be argued,
represents the way that people would like the world to work-whereas economics represents how it
actually does work. (Page 11 Freakonomics)" They have challenged themselves to uncover truths about
our world today that have previously gone unnoticed.

Setting and atmosphere

Throughout the book, the authors include anecdotes and brief asides that explain the historical
context of certain subjects related to their research. For example, when discussing the economics of a
drug-dealing gang in Chicago, the authors include a brief history of how crack cocaine became the drug
of choice for many inner-city Americans. These short history lessons provide context for the research
discussed, and they also allow the authors to tell narrative stories within the larger framework of a book
about economics. Each chapter of Freakonomics opens with a brief excerpt, it includes candid
conversations with Levitt, as well as physical descriptions of the man himself. These vignettes serve to
present the reader with a fuller, more interesting picture of a man whose academic work, while
interesting, does not convey the extent of his personality or character. They also function as transitions
between the topics covered in consecutive chapters.

Analysis

The concept of Freakonomics looks at a variety of behavioral and social phenomena through an
economic lens. The authors discuss the everyday workings of everyday things, like how to catch a
cheater or why your new car is worth so much less the moment you drive it off the lot. With a following
of readers from the New York Times, economist Levitt received a wide range of queries. Here, with the
help of Dubner’s humorous writing, he provides the answers to life’s somewhat-pressing questions. The
core of Freakonomics is Levitt's academic research in the field of economics is devoted to describing the
conditions and results of various experiments and studies. For each topic covered, the authors walk the
reader through the process of developing a hypothesis and comparing it with the available data. For
example, when examining the issue of schoolteacher cheating, the authors offer one possible scenario
that would result in an identifiable pattern of teacher misconduct.They then present actual sets of data
so the reader can identify the pattern independently. Just as the authors were skeptical of many of the
answers offered by the "experts" of today, the reader is encouraged to sift through Freakonomics in a
similar manner. What you will find is that many of the questions that begin to formulate in your own
mind are asked by the authors themselves in the next couple lines of the text. This characteristic of the
book is payable to Levitt and Dubner's brilliant combination of economics and the scientific method. For
each of their studies, the scientific method is followed and specifically emphasized in their alternate
hypothesis generation. There is a constant questioning of their own work as they try to arrive at a
conclusion that both delivers a mind-blowing truth and that has also passed through the extremely
guidelines of science. The last thing the author's want to do is deliver misleading information that is
similar to that which their studies aim to tackle.

“Freakonomics” is not so much about economics as it is about cause and effect, and correlations
between things. It is an interesting story for anyone