Was Ludwig von Mises a Conventionalist? - A New Analysis of the Epistemology of the Austrian School of Economics

This book presents a concise introduction to the epistemology and methodology of the Austrian School of economics as defended by Ludwig von Mises. The author provides an innovative interpretation of Mises' arguments in favour of the a priori truth of praxeology, the received view of which contributed to the academic marginalisation of the Austrian School. The study puts forward a unique argument that Mises - perhaps unintentionally - defends a form of conventionalism. Chapters in the book include detailed discussions of individualism, historicism, epistemological positions, and essentialism. The author goes on to discuss Mises' justification of the fundamental axiom and proposes a conventionalist interpretation. By presenting praxeology as a conventionalist research programme, the author aims to reinvigorate the interaction between the Austrian School, mainstream economics, and the philosophy of science. This comprehensive reconstruction is suitable for economists interested in the history and philosophy of their discipline, as well as for philosophers of science.

List of contents

1. Introduction: The Austrian School of Economics between the Tea Party Movement and Academia.- 2. Mises and the Problem of Induction.- 3. Final Destination relativistic Historicism?.- 4. Praxeology as an Alleged Solution of the Problem of Induction.- 5. A Classification Scheme for Epistemological Positions.- 6. A Conventionalist Interpretation of Mises' Justification of the Fundamental Axiom.- 7. Praxeology as a conventionalist Research Program.- 8. Essentialism in the Austrian School.- 9. Recapitulation and Final Thoughts.

Report

"In this book, Linsbichler provides a deliberate analysis of a number of Mises' unsophisticated texts through a method Linsbichler calls rational reconstruction. Through this approach, Linsbichler appears to succeed in shedding new light on Mises' epistemology." (Natsuka Tokumaru, History of Economic Ideas, Vol. 26 (2), 2018)

Product details

• Authors: Alexander Linsbichler
• Publisher: Springer, Berlin
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 28.07.2018
• EAN: 9783319834580
• ISBN: 978-3-31-983458-0
• No. of pages: 151
• Dimensions: 145 mm x 211 mm x 10 mm
• Weight: 222 g
• Illustrations: IX, 151 p.
• Subjects: Social sciences, law, business > Business > Economics; Internationale Beziehungen, C, Soziale und politische Philosophie, Wirtschaftspolitik, politische Ökonomie, Philosophy, International Relations, Economic history, Social & political philosophy, History of Philosophy, Economics and Finance, Political Economy, Philosophische Traditionen und Denkschulen, Management science, History of philosophy, philosophical traditions, International Political Economy, History of Economic Thought and Methodology, Philosophy of the Social Sciences, History of Economic Thought/Methodology, Philosophy and social sciences