================= HES POSTING =================
Roy Weintraub and Tony Brewer seem to agree that HESers can write many
kinds of histories of economics. But I would ask: what's the point? What
is the purpose of writing a history of economic thought? Entertainment,
finding out about the personalities of the writers, finding out which names
commanded the greatest respect, distinguishing national or linguistic
groups, and distinguishing universities are possibilities.
When I say HESers should focus on ideas, I mean that although these
purposes and others might be aimed at, they are not worthy. I ask: how
would following Roy Weintraub's recommendations help one understand the
development of ideas about the market economy or about the role of
government in the production of what ordinary people call wealth? Or,
the same question more broadly: if HESers follow Roy Weintraub, where
are they headed?
--
Pat Gunning
http://stsvr.showtower.com.tw/~gunning/welcome
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