In economics, there is a concept named opportunity cost. Opportunity cost forces an individual to weigh the benefits versus the sacrifices of making a decision. Van den Haag believes people look at committing the crime the same way they would view an opportunity; they would weigh the profits versus the punishment.
In the context of economics, there is a concept called opportunity cost that requires individuals to consider the trade-offs between benefits and sacrifices when making decisions. This idea is supported by Van den Haag's observation that people evaluate potential crimes in a manner similar to opportunities, taking into account both the advantages and disadvantages.