----------------- HES POSTING ----------------- [Posted on behalf of Evelyn Forget. - RBE] Does anyone know when and how the idea that human lives can be given an economic value originated? Am I correct in supposing that, before the twentieth century, this happened in only two contexts: slavery (where a market valuation emerged), and legal compensation for wrongful death which, at least in medieval Europe, was based on a static concept of social status, rather than any kind of economic productivity? When did valuation based on \"willingness to pay\" (for life-saving technology, for example) or the premium demanded to undertake risky jobs begin to supplant the idea that a life was worth the capitalized value of expected future earnings? Is there a good survey article on this issue? Thanks for any help. Evelyn L. Forget ------------ FOOTER TO HES POSTING ------------ For information, send the message "info HES" to [log in to unmask]