Review of Gene Heyman, Addiction: A disorder of choice.

Reviews the book Addiction: A Disorder of Choice by Gene M. Heyman (see record [rid]2009-08521-000[/rid]). Economists who read the author’s book should be both amazed and dismayed by these remarks. Nearly 100% of economists who have any professional views on addiction can now take it that, according to the authorities above, they lack self-respect, do not care about the truth, and do not understand what a disease is. Here is how the author frames that relationship. Some behavior is voluntary and some is not. By this distinction we need not wade into metaphysical issues around so-called ‘free will’, which help keep philosophers from doing useful things with their time. The book has plenty of clear charts and graphs, so the quantitative side of the argument is not missing. It is written in a plain, pleasing style. The book is not perfect. Again, a few regressions should have been reproduced. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)