Theory and History : an Interpretation of Social and Economic Evolution

Theory and History : an Interpretation of Social and Economic Evolution

Author: Ludwig Von Mises

Publisher: Westport, Conn. : Arlington House

Published: 1969

Total Pages: 384

ISBN-13:

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Book Synopsis Theory and History : an Interpretation of Social and Economic Evolution by : Ludwig Von Mises

Download or read book Theory and History : an Interpretation of Social and Economic Evolution written by Ludwig Von Mises and published by Westport, Conn. : Arlington House. This book was released on 1969 with total page 384 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:


An Interpretation of Social and Economic Evolution

An Interpretation of Social and Economic Evolution

Author: Ludwig von Mises

Publisher: VM eBooks

Published: 2016-11-24

Total Pages:

ISBN-13:

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Mortal man does not know how the universe and all that it contains may appear to a superhuman intelligence. Perhaps such an exalted mind is in a position to elaborate a coherent and comprehensive monistic interpretation of all phenomena. Man—up to now, at least—has always gone lamentably amiss in his attempts to bridge the gulf that he sees yawning between mind and matter, between the rider and the horse, between the mason and the stone. It would be preposterous to view this failure as a sufficient demonstration of the soundness of a dualistic philosophy. All that we can infer from it is that science—at least for the time being—must adopt a dualistic approach, less as a philosophical explanation than as a methodological device. Methodological dualism refrains from any proposition concerning essences and metaphysical constructs. It merely takes into account the fact that we do not know how external events—physical, chemical, and physiological—affect human thoughts, ideas, and judgments of value. This ignorance splits the realm of knowledge into two separate fields, the realm of external events, commonly called nature, and the realm of human thought and action. Older ages looked upon the issue from a moral or religious point of view. Materialist monism was rejected as incompatible with the Christian dualism of the Creator and the creation, and of the immortal soul and the mortal body. Determinism was rejected as incompatible with the fundamental principles of morality as well as with the penal code. Most of what was advanced in these controversies to support the respective dogmas was unessential and is irrelevant from the methodological point of view of our day. The determinists did little more than repeat their thesis again and again, without trying to substantiate it. The indeterminists denied their adversaries’ statements but were unable to strike at their weak points. The long debates were not very helpful.


Book Synopsis An Interpretation of Social and Economic Evolution by : Ludwig von Mises

Download or read book An Interpretation of Social and Economic Evolution written by Ludwig von Mises and published by VM eBooks. This book was released on 2016-11-24 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Mortal man does not know how the universe and all that it contains may appear to a superhuman intelligence. Perhaps such an exalted mind is in a position to elaborate a coherent and comprehensive monistic interpretation of all phenomena. Man—up to now, at least—has always gone lamentably amiss in his attempts to bridge the gulf that he sees yawning between mind and matter, between the rider and the horse, between the mason and the stone. It would be preposterous to view this failure as a sufficient demonstration of the soundness of a dualistic philosophy. All that we can infer from it is that science—at least for the time being—must adopt a dualistic approach, less as a philosophical explanation than as a methodological device. Methodological dualism refrains from any proposition concerning essences and metaphysical constructs. It merely takes into account the fact that we do not know how external events—physical, chemical, and physiological—affect human thoughts, ideas, and judgments of value. This ignorance splits the realm of knowledge into two separate fields, the realm of external events, commonly called nature, and the realm of human thought and action. Older ages looked upon the issue from a moral or religious point of view. Materialist monism was rejected as incompatible with the Christian dualism of the Creator and the creation, and of the immortal soul and the mortal body. Determinism was rejected as incompatible with the fundamental principles of morality as well as with the penal code. Most of what was advanced in these controversies to support the respective dogmas was unessential and is irrelevant from the methodological point of view of our day. The determinists did little more than repeat their thesis again and again, without trying to substantiate it. The indeterminists denied their adversaries’ statements but were unable to strike at their weak points. The long debates were not very helpful.


An Evolutionary Theory of Economic Change

An Evolutionary Theory of Economic Change

Author: Richard R. Nelson

Publisher: Harvard University Press

Published: 1985-10-15

Total Pages: 456

ISBN-13: 9780674041431

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This book contains the most sustained and serious attack on mainstream, neoclassical economics in more than forty years. Nelson and Winter focus their critique on the basic question of how firms and industries change overtime. They marshal significant objections to the fundamental neoclassical assumptions of profit maximization and market equilibrium, which they find ineffective in the analysis of technological innovation and the dynamics of competition among firms. To replace these assumptions, they borrow from biology the concept of natural selection to construct a precise and detailed evolutionary theory of business behavior. They grant that films are motivated by profit and engage in search for ways of improving profits, but they do not consider them to be profit maximizing. Likewise, they emphasize the tendency for the more profitable firms to drive the less profitable ones out of business, but they do not focus their analysis on hypothetical states of industry equilibrium. The results of their new paradigm and analytical framework are impressive. Not only have they been able to develop more coherent and powerful models of competitive firm dynamics under conditions of growth and technological change, but their approach is compatible with findings in psychology and other social sciences. Finally, their work has important implications for welfare economics and for government policy toward industry.


Book Synopsis An Evolutionary Theory of Economic Change by : Richard R. Nelson

Download or read book An Evolutionary Theory of Economic Change written by Richard R. Nelson and published by Harvard University Press. This book was released on 1985-10-15 with total page 456 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book contains the most sustained and serious attack on mainstream, neoclassical economics in more than forty years. Nelson and Winter focus their critique on the basic question of how firms and industries change overtime. They marshal significant objections to the fundamental neoclassical assumptions of profit maximization and market equilibrium, which they find ineffective in the analysis of technological innovation and the dynamics of competition among firms. To replace these assumptions, they borrow from biology the concept of natural selection to construct a precise and detailed evolutionary theory of business behavior. They grant that films are motivated by profit and engage in search for ways of improving profits, but they do not consider them to be profit maximizing. Likewise, they emphasize the tendency for the more profitable firms to drive the less profitable ones out of business, but they do not focus their analysis on hypothetical states of industry equilibrium. The results of their new paradigm and analytical framework are impressive. Not only have they been able to develop more coherent and powerful models of competitive firm dynamics under conditions of growth and technological change, but their approach is compatible with findings in psychology and other social sciences. Finally, their work has important implications for welfare economics and for government policy toward industry.


From Political Economy to Economics

From Political Economy to Economics

Author: Dimitris Milonakis

Publisher: Taylor & Francis

Published: 2009

Total Pages: 388

ISBN-13: 0415423228

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Shows how economics was once rich, diverse, multidimensional and pluralistic. Details how political economy became economics through the desocialisation and dehistoricisation of the dismal science.


Book Synopsis From Political Economy to Economics by : Dimitris Milonakis

Download or read book From Political Economy to Economics written by Dimitris Milonakis and published by Taylor & Francis. This book was released on 2009 with total page 388 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Shows how economics was once rich, diverse, multidimensional and pluralistic. Details how political economy became economics through the desocialisation and dehistoricisation of the dismal science.


Joseph A. Schumpeter

Joseph A. Schumpeter

Author: Esben S. Andersen

Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan

Published: 2011-08-30

Total Pages: 272

ISBN-13: 9781403996275

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This book examines Schumpeter's dramatic theory of social and economic evolution as the pivot of his life and work, resolving apparent paradoxes and clarifying Schumpeter's challenges to economists and other social scientists.


Book Synopsis Joseph A. Schumpeter by : Esben S. Andersen

Download or read book Joseph A. Schumpeter written by Esben S. Andersen and published by Palgrave Macmillan. This book was released on 2011-08-30 with total page 272 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book examines Schumpeter's dramatic theory of social and economic evolution as the pivot of his life and work, resolving apparent paradoxes and clarifying Schumpeter's challenges to economists and other social scientists.


Economic Evolution

Economic Evolution

Author: Jack J Vromen

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 1995-10-19

Total Pages: 254

ISBN-13: 1134796579

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The new institutional economics offers one of the most exciting research agendas in economics today. The book looks at the differences and similarities between the three main approaches.


Book Synopsis Economic Evolution by : Jack J Vromen

Download or read book Economic Evolution written by Jack J Vromen and published by Routledge. This book was released on 1995-10-19 with total page 254 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The new institutional economics offers one of the most exciting research agendas in economics today. The book looks at the differences and similarities between the three main approaches.


A Behavioural Theory of Economic Development

A Behavioural Theory of Economic Development

Author: Robert Huggins

Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA

Published: 2021-01-14

Total Pages: 323

ISBN-13: 0198832346

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This book establishes a novel behavioural theory of economic development to illustrate that differences in human behaviour across cities and regions, both individually and collectively, are a significant deep-rooted cause of uneven development within and across nations.


Book Synopsis A Behavioural Theory of Economic Development by : Robert Huggins

Download or read book A Behavioural Theory of Economic Development written by Robert Huggins and published by Oxford University Press, USA. This book was released on 2021-01-14 with total page 323 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book establishes a novel behavioural theory of economic development to illustrate that differences in human behaviour across cities and regions, both individually and collectively, are a significant deep-rooted cause of uneven development within and across nations.


Rethinking Economic Evolution

Rethinking Economic Evolution

Author: Ulrich Witt

Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing

Published: 2016-07-30

Total Pages: 264

ISBN-13: 178536507X

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Modern economies never come to rest. From institutions to activities of production, trade, and consumption, everything is locked in processes of perpetual transformation – and so are our daily lives. Why and how do such transformations occur? What can economic theory tell us about these changes and where they might lead? Ulrich Witt’s book discusses why evolutionary concepts are necessary to answer such questions. While economic evolution is in many respects unique, it nonetheless needs to be seen within the broader context of natural evolution. By exploring this complex relationship, Rethinking Economic Evolution demonstrates the significance of an evolutionary economic theory.


Book Synopsis Rethinking Economic Evolution by : Ulrich Witt

Download or read book Rethinking Economic Evolution written by Ulrich Witt and published by Edward Elgar Publishing. This book was released on 2016-07-30 with total page 264 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Modern economies never come to rest. From institutions to activities of production, trade, and consumption, everything is locked in processes of perpetual transformation – and so are our daily lives. Why and how do such transformations occur? What can economic theory tell us about these changes and where they might lead? Ulrich Witt’s book discusses why evolutionary concepts are necessary to answer such questions. While economic evolution is in many respects unique, it nonetheless needs to be seen within the broader context of natural evolution. By exploring this complex relationship, Rethinking Economic Evolution demonstrates the significance of an evolutionary economic theory.


How Society Makes Itself

How Society Makes Itself

Author: Howard J. Sherman

Publisher: M.E. Sharpe

Published: 2006

Total Pages: 254

ISBN-13: 9780765616517

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This radical account of the evolution of political, social, and economic institutions weaves together strands of anthropology, sociology, political science, history, and economics. In a highly readable text, Howard Sherman explains the interconnections of ideas and economic forces, and traces the evolution of social and economic institutions from primitive times to the present. Sherman focuses on the myth of "inevitable progress" in technology, and argues that it progresses only when social and economic institutions and dominant ideas encourage it to improve. He shows that throughout history technology, as a part of the economic forces, ebbs and flows to create or undermine existing economic institutions.


Book Synopsis How Society Makes Itself by : Howard J. Sherman

Download or read book How Society Makes Itself written by Howard J. Sherman and published by M.E. Sharpe. This book was released on 2006 with total page 254 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This radical account of the evolution of political, social, and economic institutions weaves together strands of anthropology, sociology, political science, history, and economics. In a highly readable text, Howard Sherman explains the interconnections of ideas and economic forces, and traces the evolution of social and economic institutions from primitive times to the present. Sherman focuses on the myth of "inevitable progress" in technology, and argues that it progresses only when social and economic institutions and dominant ideas encourage it to improve. He shows that throughout history technology, as a part of the economic forces, ebbs and flows to create or undermine existing economic institutions.


Darwin's Conjecture

Darwin's Conjecture

Author: Geoffrey M. Hodgson

Publisher: University of Chicago Press

Published: 2010-12-15

Total Pages: 304

ISBN-13: 0226346927

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Of paramount importance to the natural sciences, the principles of Darwinism, which involve variation, inheritance, and selection, are increasingly of interest to social scientists as well. But no one has provided a truly rigorous account of how the principles apply to the evolution of human society—until now. In Darwin’s Conjecture, Geoffrey Hodgson and Thorbjørn Knudsen reveal how the British naturalist’s core concepts apply to a wide range of phenomena, including business practices, legal systems, technology, and even science itself. They also critique some prominent objections to applying Darwin to social science, arguing that ultimately Darwinism functions as a general theoretical framework for stimulating further inquiry. Social scientists who adopt a Darwinian approach, they contend, can then use it to frame and help develop new explanatory theories and predictive models. This truly pathbreaking workat long last makes the powerful conceptual tools of Darwin available to the social sciences and will be welcomed by scholars and students from a range of disciplines.


Book Synopsis Darwin's Conjecture by : Geoffrey M. Hodgson

Download or read book Darwin's Conjecture written by Geoffrey M. Hodgson and published by University of Chicago Press. This book was released on 2010-12-15 with total page 304 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Of paramount importance to the natural sciences, the principles of Darwinism, which involve variation, inheritance, and selection, are increasingly of interest to social scientists as well. But no one has provided a truly rigorous account of how the principles apply to the evolution of human society—until now. In Darwin’s Conjecture, Geoffrey Hodgson and Thorbjørn Knudsen reveal how the British naturalist’s core concepts apply to a wide range of phenomena, including business practices, legal systems, technology, and even science itself. They also critique some prominent objections to applying Darwin to social science, arguing that ultimately Darwinism functions as a general theoretical framework for stimulating further inquiry. Social scientists who adopt a Darwinian approach, they contend, can then use it to frame and help develop new explanatory theories and predictive models. This truly pathbreaking workat long last makes the powerful conceptual tools of Darwin available to the social sciences and will be welcomed by scholars and students from a range of disciplines.