scholarly journals La epistemología de la Escuela Austriaca de economía (la fundamental aportación de F. A. Hayek a la teoría del conocimiento)

2021 ◽  
pp. 253-303
Author(s):  
César Meseguer

The exact process of the human brain and mind information and development is still, in many ways, a true mystery. Nonetheless, it seems clear that the evolutionary process enabled the brain and mind to progress from the most basic and instinctive aspects to evermore advanced levels of abstraction, which permitted the generation of increasingly complex abilities and elaborate language. But, how do we believe that the human mind works? How are we able to acquire knowledge and to transmit it? What are the appropriate methods to try and get close to the «real» world that surrounds us? The Austrian School of Economics has made some very interesting contributions to this subject, not only with regards to epistemology but also in the social sciences, mainly thanks to the contribution of the school’s most outstanding representative, F.A. Hayek. The main goal of the present work is to try and make the importance of Hayek’s contribution known, as well as to examine its derived consequences for epistemology and social science methodologies in general, and the consequences for Economics and Law in particular. Key Words: Epistemology, evolution, methodology, ontology, knowledge, sci-ence, method, reason, Austrian School. JEL Classification: B40, B41, B49, B52, B53. Resumen: El proceso exacto de formación y desarrollo del cerebro humano y de la mente es todavía en muchos aspectos un auténtico misterio. No obstante, parece claro que el proceso evolutivo permitió ir pasando desde los aspectos más básicos e instintivos, hasta niveles cada vez más elevados de abstracción, que permitieron la generación de habilidades complejas y de un lenguaje cada vez más elaborado. Pero ¿cómo creemos que funciona la mente huma-na? ¿Cómo somos capaces de adquirir conocimientos y transmitirlos? ¿Cuáles son los métodos adecuados para tratar de acercarnos a la «verdad» del mun-do que nos rodea? Sobre estas materias, la Escuela Austriaca de Economía, ha realizado aportaciones muy interesantes, tanto en epistemología, como en metodología de las ciencias sociales, fundamentalmente gracias a la contribu-ción de su representante más destacado, F. A. Hayek. El objetivo principal de este trabajo es tratar de dar a conocer la gran importancia de esa contribu-ción, así como las consecuencias que de ella se derivan para la epistemología y la metodología de las ciencias sociales en general, y para la Economía y el Derecho en particular. Palabras clave: Epistemología, evolutivo, metodología, ontología, conocimien-to, ciencia, modelo, razón, Escuela Austriaca. Clasificación JEL: B40, B41, B49, B52, B53.

2017 ◽  
pp. 129-152
Author(s):  
Luis Luque Santoro

This paper includes the main conclusions driven from a thorough com-pilation and interpretation of F.A. Hayek’s most relevant views on the subjects of philosophy of science, epistemology and methodology regarding social scien-ces. The dialogue that Hayek seems to establish between sciences and methods is particularly highlighted. This dialogue might be summarized in two ways: a «bottom-up» connection, by offering an alternative justification for methodologi-cal dualism and the proper methodological principles for the social sciences, from the perspetive of the natural sciences methodological paradigm in which Hayek frames his human mind theory in his work The Sensory Order; and a «top-down» connection, by concluding with respect to the complex phenomena theo-ries of natural sciences that there exist common methodological challenges with the social sciences, which require in both cases to take into account methodolo-gical differences not covered under the orthodox mainstream methodological paradigm. In this sense an interpretation of Hayek’s methodological approxima-tion to economics as an applied or empirical social science is proposed; which intends to offer explanations about concrete reality, as a necessary complement of Mises praxeology which instead only focuses on pure and formal theory. Keywords: Hayek; Philosophy of Science; Methodology; Praxeology; Pure Logic of Choice. JEL Classification: A12, A14, B41, B53. Resumen: En este trabajo se presentan las principales conclusiones de una detenida compilación e interpretación de los planteamientos más importantes de F.A. Hayek sobre temas de filosofía de la ciencia, epistemología y metodo - logía de las ciencias sociales. En particular se resalta el diálogo que Hayek parece plantear entre ciencias y métodos y que se concretaría en dos senti-dos: en una conexión «por abajo», justificando el dualismo metodológico y los principios metodológicos adecuados para las ciencias sociales, desde el paradigma metodológico de las ciencias naturales en el que elabora su teoría sobre la mente humana en El Orden Sensorial; y en una conexión «por arriba» al concluir respecto a las teorías sobre fenómenos complejos de las ciencias naturales la existencia de retos comunes con los que también se enfrentan las ciencias sociales y que requieren dar cabida en ambos casos a diferencias metodológicas no previstas según el criterio ortodoxo dominante. En este último sentido, se propone una interpretación de la aproximación metodoló-gica de Hayek para la economía como una ciencia social aplicada o empí-rica que tiene como objetivo ofrecer explicaciones de la realidad, como el complemento necesario a la praxeología misesiana centrada en la teoría pura formal. Palabras clave: Hayek; Filosofía de la Ciencia; Metodología; Praxeología; Lógica Pura de la Elección. Clasificación JEL: A12 (Relación de la economía con otras disciplinas); A14 (Sociología de la economía); B41 (Metodología económica); B53 (Escuela aus-triaca).


2019 ◽  
pp. 213-247
Author(s):  
Martín Krause

One of the main contributions of economics to the social sciences, expressed in the famous metaphor of the “invisible hand”, ended up being questioned by a good part of the economists. Based on the assumption of an individual maximizer of monetary utility, the social cooperation in which it con- sists failed, and it was not possible to expect it to succeed. However, recent developments in various areas have provided new elements in favor of its pos- sibility, its sustainability over time, and its extension to larger groups. In this work we will consider the recent contributions related to this topic in Game The- ory, Experimental Economics, Evolutionary Psychology and the analysis of his- torical cases that help to elucidate the theory and confirm its concepts. It will be considered how these areas of the social sciences have contributed with new elements to the understanding of social cooperation and voluntary actions. It concludes by stating that the invisible hand failure should, at least, be ques- tioned, and that there is still a large field to be developed in the analysis of these spontaneous orders, although there have been great contributions in recent decades. Keywords: Invisible hand, social cooperation, Game Theory, Experimental Eco- nomics, Evolutionary Psychology JEL classification: A12, C71, C92, D71, D91, H41 Resumen: Una de las principales contribuciones de la economía a las ciencias sociales, expresada en la famosa metáfora de la “mano invisible”, terminó siendo cuestionada por buena parte de los economistas. En base al supuesto de un individuo maximizador de utilidad monetaria, la cooperación social en que ésta consiste fracasaba, no era posible esperar que tuviera éxito. No obstante, recientes desarrollos en diversas áreas han brindado nuevos elemen- tos en favor de la misma, su posibilidad, su sostenibilidad en el tiempo, su extensión a grupos de mayor tamaño. En este trabajo consideraremos las con- tribuciones recientes relacionadas con este tema en Teoría de los Juegos, Economía Experimental, Psicología Evolutiva y el análisis de casos históricos que contribuyen a dilucidar la teoría y confirmar sus conceptos. Se considerará cómo estas áreas de las ciencias sociales aportan nuevos elementos para la comprensión de la cooperación social y las acciones voluntarias. Se concluye planteando que su fracaso debería, al menos, ser puesto en duda, y que hay un gran campo a desarrollar todavía en el análisis de esos órdenes espontá- neos, aunque ha habido grandes contribuciones en las últimas décadas. Palabras clave: Mano invisible, cooperación social, teoría de juegos, economía experimental, psicología evolutiva Clasificación JEL: A12, C71, C92, D71, D91, H41


2021 ◽  
pp. 121-160
Author(s):  
Rodrigo Hidalgo Torres

This article presents an analysis of the current tenets of the Social teachings of the Catholic Church and their possible compatibility with the free market theory and practice. According to the Author, the teachings of the Austrian School of Economics, around creative entrepreneurship and dynamic efficiency, can provide a new and fruitful nexus between the Catholic Church and the free market. Key words: Catholic Social Doctrine, market, classical liberalism, entrepre-neurship, Austrian School. JEL Classification: A10, D40, E24, I30, O10. Resumen: En el presente trabajo se efectúa un repaso a la Doctrina Social de la Iglesia Católica (DSI) analizándose su posible compatibilidad con el liberalismo económico y proponiendo a la Escuela Austriaca de eco-nomía (con su énfasis en la creatividad y la función empresarial) como punto de encuentro más prometedor entre la moral católica y el mercado libre. Palabras clave: Doctrina Social de la Iglesia, mercado, liberalismo, función empresarial, Escuela Austriaca. Clasificación JEL: A10, D40, E24, I30, O10.


2004 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-44
Author(s):  
GERALD WOLF

We already have considerable insight into the working of the brain, that part of our body which generates the mind, which makes us hope and wish and feel, and finally allows us to comprehend ourselves as ‘Self’. However, the big questions about what thinking, consciousness and emotions really consist of cannot be answered yet. Continued research on the brain persists, tackling one of the greatest challenges for the human mind, namely: to discover its own preconditions, to unravel its own prerequisites. May we hope (or fear) that, in the future, brain research we will be able to give the final answer to that everlasting question of philosophy ‘What makes us human?’ Or is there an epistemological barrier when we look at the human brain and the subjectivity generated by it? There are fundamental cognitive problems regarding the extreme complexity of the brain's system and the brain–mind question. On the other hand, the findings of brain research are already so compelling that their interpretations should be guidelines for the humanities and the social sciences.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. 239821281881262 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elaine Fox

Emotions are at the heart of how we understand the human mind and of our relationships within the social world. Yet, there is still no scientific consensus on the fundamental nature of emotion. A central quest within the discipline of affective science is to develop an in-depth understanding of emotions, moods, and feelings and how they are embodied within the brain (affective neuroscience). This article provides a brief overview of the scientific study of emotion with a particular emphasis on psychological and neuroscientific perspectives. Following a selective snapshot of past and present research in this field, some current challenges and controversies in affective science are highlighted.


2021 ◽  
pp. 205-262
Author(s):  
Tuur Demeester

The goal of this article is to properly define the economic phenomenon of the business cycle. The text is rooted in the tradition of the Austrian School of Economics, and the methodological framework builds on concepts developed by Aristotle and Thomas Aquinas. This leads to the development of a few new methodological concepts, such as a re-interpretation of «inflation» and «deflation», and the re-introduction of «imaginary goods» as an important social phenomenon. The core observation of the article is that the business cycle is in fact a subclass of another kind of cycle, the «fraud cycle». Our conclusion is that in order to produce a business cycle, the occurrence of institutional fraud in the sphere of money and banking are both necessary and sufficient. The counter-argument that honest banking can also produce business cycles is refuted in Appendix I. We believe this article is significant in two ways: 1) it provides an unambiguous recipe for the long term extermination of the business cycle; and 2) it helps expand the scope of the Austrian School beyond economics into fields of law and morality. Key words: Business Cycle, Fraud Cycle, Austrian School, money and banking. JEL Classification: B53, B49, D01, K13. Resumen: El objetivo de este artículo es definir apropiadamente el fenómeno económico del ciclo económico. El resto está enraizado en la tradición de la Escuela Austriaca de Economía, y el marco metodológico parte de los conceptos desarrollados por Aristóteles y Tomás de Aquino. Esto conduce al desarrollo de algunos conceptos metodológicos nuevos, tales como la reinterpretación de la «inflación» y la «deflación», y la reintroducción de los «bienes imaginarios» como un fenómeno social importante. La observación central de este artículo es que el ciclo económico es de hecho una subclase de otro tipo de ciclo, el «ciclo del fraude». Nuestra conclusión es que para producir un ciclo económico, la existencia de un fraude institucional en la esfera del dinero y la banca es una condición necesaria y suficiente. El Apéndice I refuta el contra-argumento de que una banca honesta también puede producir ciclos económicos. Creemos que este artículo es significativo por dos motivos: 1) ofrece una receta clara para la eliminación del ciclo económico; y 2) ayuda a expandir el ámbito de la Escuela Austriaca más allá del campo de la Economía hacia los campos del Derecho y la Moralidad. Palabras clave: Ciclo económico, ciclo del fraude, Escuela Austriaca, dinero y banca. Clasificación JEL: B53, B49, D01, K13.


2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 267-278
Author(s):  
Torjus Midtgarden

Charles Peirce’s classification of the sciences was designed shortly after the turn of the twentieth century. The classification has two main sources of inspiration: Comte’s science classification and Kant’s theoretical philosophy. Peirce’s classification, like that of Comte, is hierarchically organised in that the more general and abstract sciences provide principles for the less general and more concrete sciences. However, Peirce includes and assigns a superordinate role to philosophical disciplines which analyse and provide logical, methodological and ontological principles for the specialised sciences, and which are based on everyday life experience. Moreover, Peirce recognises two main branches of specialised empirical science: the natural sciences, on the one hand, and the social sciences, the humanities and psychology on the other. While both branches share logical and methodological principles, they are based on different ontological principles in studying physical nature and the human mind and its products, respectively. Peirce’s most basic philosophical discipline, phenomenology, transforms his early engagement with Kant. Peirce’s classification of aesthetics, ethics and logic as normative sub-disciplines of philosophy relate to his philosophical pragmatism. Yet his more overarching division between theoretical (philosophical and specialised) sciences and practical sciences may be seen as problematic. Taking Peirce’s historical account of scientific developments into consideration, however, I argue that his science classification and its emphasis on the interdependencies between the sciences could be seen as sustaining and supporting interdisciplinarity and interaction across fields of research, even across the divide between theoretical and practical sciences.


2021 ◽  
pp. 255-304
Author(s):  
Diego E. Quijano Durán

The Austrian school of economics and the investment method known as value investing have a similar conception of the world, so that it is possible to find multiple links between them and form a coherent structure. To the economist, this allows for a much deeper understanding of the entrepreneurial function and the manner in which economic calculation is actually performed. To the investor, it offers a theoretical framework that explains economic phenomena, permitting him to better understand the role of the entrepreneur and to protect his investment when dangerous patterns can be observed. In this essay, we begin from the common stance of both schools of thought towards common sense, the use of realistic assumptions, the importance of prudence and the low value of complex mathematics in the fields of economics and finance. We then proceed to develop in greater depth nine aspects that have strong philosophical and scientific links. Key words: Value investing, Austrian school of economics, entrepreneurship, dynamic efficiency, economic calculation. JEL Classification: A12, G17, M20. Resumen: La Escuela Austriaca de Economía y el método de inversión en valor tienen una concepción similar del mundo que permite entrelazarlas coherentemente. Al economista, le permite profundizar el conocimiento del ejercicio de la función empresarial y la realización del cálculo económico en la práctica. Al inversor, le ofrece un marco teórico para comprender mejor el papel del empresario y los fenómenos económicos y detectar temprano patrones peligrosos y así protegerse. En este trabajo partimos de la base de que ambas escuelas de pensamiento tienen sus raíces en el sentido común y los supuestos realistas, que son prudentes a la hora de ver el futuro y que dudan de la utilidad de las matemáticas complejas en los campos económicos y financieros. Sobre ello, desarrollamos nueve aspectos en los cuales hay fuertes conexiones como, por ejemplo, la manera en que el ejercicio de la empresarialidad mejora la eficiencia del mercado y coordina los planes de las personas. Palabras clave: Inversión en valor, escuela austriaca de economía, empre-sarialidad, eficiencia dinámica, cálculo económico. Clasificación JEL: A12, G17, M20.


2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 23
Author(s):  
Tudor Irimiaș ◽  
Giuseppe Carbone ◽  
Adrian Pîslă

The essence of social sciences is well encompassed in Green’s (2006) quote “People were created to be loved. Things were created to be used. The reason why the world is in chaos is because things are being loved and people are being used. ” For this reason, social sciences are important, as major research paradigm on how and why individuals interrelate. The aim of the actual research is to look for a conceptual approach activity, as part of a larger project focused on individual rehabilitation. The brain is trained to react to the stimulus and command a behavior. The premise, for the considered approach, is understanding the social sciences as revealing the individuals interests for self conscience, well being and moral values and drawing the line to it’s importance for governments authorities, policymakers or NGO’s.


2017 ◽  
pp. 173-202
Author(s):  
William Hongsong Wang

Professor Jesús Huerta de Soto is one of the leading Austrian School economists in the contemporary era. This paper reviews his biography as a great Austrian School economist, a successful entrepreneur and a tireless fighter for freedom. This paper also reviews his original and important aca-demic contributions on the theory of socialism and entrepreneurship, the theory of bank credit and economic cycles, and the theory of dynamic efficiency. Keywords: Jesús Huerta de Soto, Austrian School, free banking, socialism, dynamic efficiency. JEL Classification: B41, B53, C18, D53, D6, D81, D83, E32, E42, E52, E6, G21, H23, K11, K12, L21, P11, P41, P21. Resumen: El profesor Jesús Huerta de Soto es actualmente uno de los principa-les economistas de la Escuela Austriaca. Este trabajo revisa su biografía como gran economista austriaco, emprendedor de éxito, y un luchador incansable y entusiasta por la libertad. Este artículo también revisa sus contribuciones aca-démicas originales en lo que respecta a la teoría del socialismo y la función empresarial, la teoría del crédito bancario y los ciclos económicos, y la teoría de la eficiencia dinámica. Palabras clave: Jesús Huerta de Soto, Escuela Austriaca, banca libre, socia-lismo, eficiencia dinámica. Clasificación JEL: B41, B53, C18, D53, D6, D81, D83, E32, E42, E52, E6, G21, H23, K11, K12, L21, P11, P41, P21.


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