Prompt: Combine the basic views of economists Adam Smith, Milton Friedman, and Frederich Hayek with the moral and legal outlook of Abraham Lincoln to make the best possible arguments for an Unconditional Basic Income.

Combining the ideas of Adam Smith, Milton Friedman, Friedrich Hayek, and Abraham Lincoln to make arguments in favor of an Unconditional Basic Income would involve considering both the economic and moral perspectives on the issue. Here are a few arguments that could be made:

Adam Smith and Milton Friedman:

• An Unconditional Basic Income could help alleviate poverty and provide a safety net for those struggling to make ends meet while preserving incentives to work.
• By providing a basic income to everyone, the government can help ensure that everyone has access to the necessities of life, allowing individuals to participate more fully in the market and contribute to economic growth, which could be seen as a positive outcome from a Smithian and Friedmanian perspective.

Friedrich Hayek and Abraham Lincoln:

• An Unconditional Basic Income could help reduce poverty and provide a safety net for those who are in need, without creating the disincentives to work that are often associated with traditional welfare programs.
• By providing everyone with a basic income, the government can help ensure everyone has access to the necessities of life, allowing individuals to participate more fully in the market and contribute to economic growth, which can be seen as a positive outcome from a Hayekian perspective.
• Abraham Lincoln’s moral and legal outlook emphasized the idea that all individuals are entitled to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” and an Unconditional Basic Income could be seen as a way to help ensure that everyone has the resources they need to pursue these goals.

These are just a few examples of how the ideas of these economists and thinkers could be used to argue in favor of an Unconditional Basic Income. By considering both the economic and moral implications of this policy, it becomes possible to make a compelling case for its implementation.