THE VALUE OF HUMAN LIFE. 125 



permanence to be taken into consideration. Physical vigor usually 

 begins to decline at this period. We are familiar with the fact that 

 the powers of the athelete then begin to wane; champions of this age 

 give way to younger aspirants. This means that the risk becomes 

 greater and the confidence in future values is lowered. Therefore, 

 even though the age of 30 is not the climax of existing usefulness, it 

 comprises the highest combination of value and permanence. 



After the age of 30, there follows a gradual decline of values until 

 the age period 55-60 is reached, when the declivity becomes sharp, 

 remaining so to the end. The decrease in each age group is not marked 

 and might not be apparent when separate cases are considered, but the 

 collective arrangement indicates with faithful accuracy all that might 

 be expected from common observation. 



Conclusions. 



1. The pecuniary value of life is subject to the same economic laws 

 as are applied to the more vulgar commodities. 



2. In courts of law, the measure of an individual's productiveness, 

 which is the measure of his value, receives the most careful scrutiny; 

 therefore the decisions of such courts, where existing statutes permit, 

 are trustworthy in determining an individual's value to his family. 



3. The pecuniary value of a life to its relatives represents its 

 pecuniary value to society. 



4. Damages given for wrongful death are such that they can be 

 represented by an average in different age groups, with only narrow 

 limits of probable error. 



5. The relation of these age-group values, one to the other, is sup- 

 ported by common observation and statistical reasoning. 



