### Risk and Its Complex Human Experience

Risky situations often evoke anxiety, strain relationships, and hinder long-term planning. Yet they can also feel exciting or even empowering to some individuals.

### Challenging a Philosophical Viewpoint

This study examines the controversial idea put forth by John Tomasi that experiencing economic risk is essential for developing individual self-respect.

### Empirical Evidence from Surveys

We integrate philosophical arguments with large-scale survey data analysis, providing rigorous empirical scrutiny to this claim. Our findings indicate that while there might be some merit in specific contexts,

### The Economic Context Matters Most

The evidence specifically regarding economic risk suggests it tends to undermine rather than support self-respect.