Was Ludwig von Mises a conventionalist?

a new analysis of the epistemology of the austrian school of economics

Alexander Linsbichler

Palgrave Macmillan

2017

Abstract

Linsbichler's erudite new book is not only an invitation for Austrian economists to reconsider their Misesian methodological foundations, but more importantly an attempt to bridge the methodological gap between the Austrian School and mainstream economics. His charitable reading of Mises provides the basis for an original conventionalist interpretation of Mises' methodology, but it is most of all his anti-dogmatism, methodological openness and call for intellectual humility that stand out.

—Erwin Dekker, Assistant Professor of Cultural Economics (Erasmus University Rotterdam)

This book proposes new solutions to interpretational problems of Mises' methodological position. It also o­ffers a lucid and scholarly introduction to some important problems of the logic of science. Specialists and general readers alike will profit much from reading that book.

—Karl Milford, Associate Professor in History of Economic Thought and Philosophy of Economics (University of Vienna)

 This innovative book challenges the mainstream reading of Ludwig von Mises as a contested "a priori" proponent of the Austrian School of economics. It o­ffers new insights to Mises' methodology and epistemology by interpreting his praxeology as conventionalist. In doing so the author opens novel perspectives for contextualizing Ludwig von Mises' work in the history of the Austrian School and the long term "Methodenstreit" since the 19th century.

—Friedrich Stadler, Professor for History and Philosophy of Science (University of Vienna), Head and Director of the Institute Vienna Circle, President of the Austrian Ludwig Wittgenstein Society

Cited authors

Wittgenstein Ludwig

Von Mises Ludwig

Stadler Friedrich

Milford Karl