My claim has nothing to do with resource allocation in a market economy. It is merely that one cannot derive "needs it more" from "willing and able to pay more." It may well be that adopting "willing and able to pay more" as the standard for resource allocation yields the highest possible level of human flourishing. It might even be true that statist capitalism unfolding from the starting conditions of the world as it exists today is what will yield the highest possible level of human flourishing (though I doubt it.)
Even if all that is true, the most one can say if a rich person outbids a poor person for a good is that the transaction proceeded according to a principle that will tend to maximize human flourishing.
To say that it demonstrates that the other person needs it more, or values it more, is simply a category error.
Even if all that is true, the most one can say if a rich person outbids a poor person for a good is that the transaction proceeded according to a principle that will tend to maximize human flourishing.
To say that it demonstrates that the other person needs it more, or values it more, is simply a category error.