================= 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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