The interest of scholars in the application of mathematics to the social sciences is particularly lively at the present time. This is especially true in economics, as well as in such allied disciplines as econometrics and economic statistics. And yet, critical works by economists on methodological problems remain rare, as witness the fact that Professor Milton Friedman, in his Essays in Positive Economics (1953), based many of his ideas on John Neville Keynes’ volume of 1891.

Volume 1, Number 2 (1977)

In his seminal work, “The Problem of Social Cost,” Coase held that in cases of private property right disputes involving what have been called externalities, “with costless market transactions, the decision of the courts concerning liability for damage would be without effect on the allocation of resources.” I shall try to show that this view is mistaken because it does not take account of psychic income. I shall then consider what can only be considered immoral implications Demsetz draws from Coase’s view of property.

Volume 1, Number 2 (1977)

As every honest man knows, crime doesn’t pay. Our main problem is that apparently no one has yet told the criminals. Crime is our number one growth industry, and currently exhibits such bullish prospects that its present competitor seems content to merely slow its rate of growth. Thus the government would have us rejoice that the alligator is eating us slowly.

Volume 1, Number 2 (1977)

This paper is an essay on the coordination of economic activities. It is exploratory and speculative, connecting arguments that I have made in several other places. The essay is an attempt to give a coherent picture of some of the theoretical and practical problems facing economists, as well as society in general.

Volume 1, Number 2 (1977)

Not even the most doctrinaire egalitarian will deny that heredity affects, if it does not deter- mine, individual intelligence, strength, vitality, and the capacity to develop certain skills. There are three other dimensions of inequality, how- ever, which are universal, and yet commonly over-looked or even denied. To what extent their basis is phylogenetic may be open to debate, but beyond question is the fact that all three are deeply entrenched in acquired human nature.

Volume 1, Number 2 (1977)

(Barthelemy) Charles (Pierre Joseph) Dunoyer (1786-1862) was born on May 20, 1786 at Caremac in ancient Tureme (Quercy, Cahorsin), the present-day Lot. His father, Jean-Jacques- Philippe Dunoyer, was seigneur de Segonzac. Destined at an early age for the order of St. Jean de Malte, he began his education in the order’s near-by house at Martel.

Volume 1, Number 3 (1977)

In the popular academic mind, the doctrine of class-conflict seems to be inextricably linked to the particular Marxist version of the idea. Lip-service is often paid - especially by those eager to diminish the claims to originality of Marx and Engels - to the fact that these writers had precursors in this approach to social reality. Frequently a certain “French school,” preceding Marx and Engels and influencing their views, is alluded to, and the names Guizot, Thierry, Saint-Simon and a few others are sometimes mentioned in this connection.

A society is certainly conceivable in which there was no governmental intervention in family life or education and in which the sole function of law enforcement was the upholding of universal rights.

Volume 1, Number 3 (1977)

What requires explanation or justification depends on what is taken as being given: what comes into question depends on what one already believes. The inertia of one’s present outlook - sometimes too hastily labeled by others as a bias - gives one a sense of commitment without which possible justifications for one’s position might be overlooked. Nor does an ability to empathize usually carry such a sense of commitment.

Volume 1, Number 3 (1977)

Libertarianism -the political philosophy based on the concept of individual rights -seems to be an inherently clear, unambiguous position.