Re: Schultz: "economists are scared to death"

Eric Lilius (mailto:elilius@HALHINET.ON.CA)
Tue, 15 Sep 1998 11:42:18 -0400 

Message-ID:  <35FE8ADA.98071226@halhinet.on.ca>
Date:         Tue, 15 Sep 1998 11:42:18 -0400
From: Eric Lilius <mailto:elilius@HALHINET.ON.CA>
Subject:      Re: Schultz: "economists are scared to death"
To: mailto:DEVEL-L@AMERICAN.EDU


Jay Hanson wrote:
>

> "Those who believe society can best be understood as a series of markets

> begin by positing a rational, calculating individual whose goal is to

> maximize 'utility.' This premise says everything and nothing, since it is

> true by definition in all cases. But it is a key aspect of the market model,

> since it is the behavioral part of the logical argument that whatever the

> market decides must be optimal." [1]



P.J. O'Rourke has just published an on the ground look at
economics titled "Eat the Rich" that makes the same points
that you do.

--
Eric Lilius
Box 940
Minden, Ontario, Canada
K0M 2K0
ph:     705-286-2484
fax:    705-286-1911


    To live in this world
    You must be able
    to do three things:
    to love what is mortal;
    to hold it against your bones
    knowing your own life depends upon it;
    and, when the time comes to let it go,
    to let it go.
                         Mary Oliver