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Re: Academic Bias against Austrianism?

duffmann808 — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 23:47:09 GMT

If nothing else, this post has made me feel lucky to have the resource that I do easily at my disposal. A few days ago I went and talked to the professor who has a history with Austrian Economics, and it was very engaging and exciting. I do believe that Austrian Economics is on the forefront of economics, though, as long as we can keep it there.

Re: Academic Bias against Austrianism?

Attackdonkey — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 21:08:22 GMT

I can't say my experience was similar to your's. but it was even more saddening. I mentioned Mises, to my economics professor, the semester before last, and rather than insult me, he simply looked at me like a deer caught in the head lights. he didn't know who the guy was, what he was about, or anything... of course I didn't know much, I had, at that time, just recently been exposed to Austrian economics.

Re: Academic Bias against Austrianism?

krazy kaju — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 21:00:31 GMT

xSFx:
Any explanation of known past events is by definition "post hoc". Psychanalysis is such an explanation. It does wonders in "explaining" why people acted a certain way, but it fails at doing useful predictions because it's nonfalsifiable.

To be otherwise, it has to predict future events that have not yet happened, or past events we don't yet know about.

Exactly. That is why theory is superior to history.

Re: Academic Bias against Austrianism?

Voievod — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 20:35:32 GMT

Any explanation of known past events is by definition "post hoc". Psychanalysis is such an explanation. It does wonders in "explaining" why people acted a certain way, but it fails at doing useful predictions because it's nonfalsifiable.

To be otherwise, it has to predict future events that have not yet happened, or past events we don't yet know about.

Re: Academic Bias against Austrianism?

Jain Daugh — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 20:30:41 GMT

krazy kaju:

History makes no sense unless it is analyzed through the lense of economic theory.

While I agree that 'following the money trail' usually leads to a clear understanding of events, one must also consider that most 'history' is one person's recounting of events and each of us does 'filter' what we see and remember based upon our own experiences and knowledge. As such I always read 'history' with the author's bias in mind.

Jain

Re: Academic Bias against Austrianism?

krazy kaju — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 20:28:03 GMT

Post hoc? I'm afraid there's nothing post hoc about a priori theory.

Re: Academic Bias against Austrianism?

Voievod — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 20:22:50 GMT

Of course, pot hoc rationalisations can make sense of anything. :). I'm afraid history is confined to be nothing more than "stamp collecting".

Re: Academic Bias against Austrianism?

krazy kaju — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 20:16:35 GMT

History makes no sense unless it is analyzed through the lense of economic theory.

Re: Academic Bias against Austrianism?

Voievod — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 13:34:30 GMT

We should not shy away from the scientific method. History is living proof of the failures of statism.

Re: Academic Bias against Austrianism?

MacFall — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 02:01:47 GMT

Seiesnalli:

This is that kind of occassion where I have to occupy myself with thinking of other things lest I get involved in the conversation.

I know what you mean. I wrote something like 60 pages of manuscript for one of my novels during my micro class. My prof was an adjunct, and really didn't know a darn thing about economics. She taught the text, which was basically neo-Keynesian, and any time I raised an objection she was completely bewildered. I felt bad for her so I just worked on my book.

Re: Academic Bias against Austrianism?

Brandon — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 22:58:16 GMT

For a discussion of Scientism see Hayek's The Counter-Revolution of Science. Of course, I've never read it cover to cover because of its density. But I have dipped into it and found it useful for papers and whatnot.

Another useful and accessible source is Rothbard’s controversial essay, “The Mantel of Science.”

Re: Academic Bias against Austrianism?

Jain Daugh — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 16:15:22 GMT

Seiesnalli:

Note: I'm a 22 year old economics major.

So I made a passing comment about Rothbard in class to one of my economics teachers, and now I've apparently inadvertantly created an adversary out of her. Her response was automatically demeaning and insulting, very plainly explaining she thought Rothbard was laughable, and I suppose by extension, Austrians in general. She became antagonistic and later made passive aggressive, ad hominem comments about my bandana, in a class of several hundred students. Childish, to say the least.

Has anyone else had similar experiences in the world of academia?

Ditto Stranger (Remember who signs their paychecks)!! And what I would like to know from Seiesnalli is why do you think you NEED that piece of paper to prove your knowledge?!? Far as I can tell, 90% of what is 'taught' in classes is from some book. Why not just read what you find provides you the best and most informative input? I can't help but wonder what you think a degree in economics will do for your (working) life? Look at Grabbie Greenspan - all that knowledge and a big sell out for $$$ in the end. Too bad Rand didn't live to rip the rug out from under his double talking self.

I'm seriously NOT an economics student - in the sense that you are pursuing - but I didn't have to go to college to read Hayek, Rothbard and Harry Browne, who I feel is the best of the lot - practical kknowledge!

Jain

Re: Academic Bias against Austrianism?

Seiesnalli — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 03:41:10 GMT

Yeah, I inquired to a teach if she knew of any staff of the Rothbardian bent...She replied with, "Who?...Oh, OH, those libertarian people. No."

Re: Academic Bias against Austrianism?

Wren — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 01:30:02 GMT

At first I thought the header was "Academic Bias against Authoritarianism" to which I would have replied, no, not really.

There is mostly ignorance and apathy toward austrian economics by most professors/teachers. Libertarianism is usually not thought of too highly though.

Re: Academic Bias against Austrianism?

Jon Irenicus — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 23:07:05 GMT

Oh I remember this guy! He used to post on the old Austrian forum. I had no idea he's an anarchist though. Great person, very well informed.

-Jon