Otto Neurath and Ludwig von Mises

Linsbichler, Alexander

doi:10.23941/ejpe.v14i2.623

Cited by 3 publications

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“…Instructive examples of “shrugging off” can be found in the thought experiments of Ludwig Mises, Neurath’s main intellectual sparring partner in the socialist calculation debates and in comparative economic systems (Linsbichler 2015 ; 2022a ). Mises ( 1949 / 1998 , 202) and other Austrian economists 20 regularly employ thought experiments involving “imaginary constructions to which nothing corresponds in reality” as “an indispensable tool of thinking” and ultimately conclude that social states depicted in these imaginary constructions are impossible.…”

Section: Utopias As the Linchpin Of Thought Experimentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Otto Neurath’s Scientific Utopianism Revisited-A Refined Model for Utopias in Thought Experiments

Linsbichler

Cunha

2023

J Gen Philos Sci

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Otto Neurath’s empiricist methodology of economics and his contributions to political economy have gained increasing attention in recent years. We connect this research with contemporary debates regarding the epistemological status of thought experiments by reconstructing Neurath’s utopias as linchpins of thought experiments. In our three reconstructed examples of different uses of utopias/dystopias in thought experiments we employ a reformulation of Häggqvist’s model for thought experiments and we argue that: (1) Our reformulation of Häggqvist’s model more adequately complies with many uses of thought experiments, especially with the open-ended discussions of utopias and dystopias in thought experiments. (2) As a strict logical empiricist, Neurath is committed to a strictly empiricist account of thought experiments. John Norton’s empiricist argument view can indeed account for the justifications of empirical beliefs and genuine discoveries targeted by scientific utopianism in three distinct (yet connected) ways, all of which Neurath already contemplated: (2.I) Dealing with utopias and thought experiments on a regular basis increases creativity and inventiveness. (2.II) Particular ways of presenting knowledge facilitate scientific discovery and social progress. (2.III) The use of utopias in thought experiments can prompt conceptual change and allow access to new phenomena. We conclude by highlighting that, even though thought experiments support a positive attitude for exploring new social possibilities, Neurath points out that active decisions are unavoidable. The exploration of alternatives and the awareness of a need for decisions in policy discussion avert a technocratic outlook in social science.

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Section: Utopias As the Linchpin Of Thought Experimentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Otto Neurath’s Scientific Utopianism Revisited-A Refined Model for Utopias in Thought Experiments

Linsbichler

Cunha

2023

J Gen Philos Sci

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Book Review: The Alternative Austrian Economics: A Brief History

Linsbichler

2022

QJAE

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Recent efforts re-introduce the political economists of Austromarxism and their ideas to larger English-speaking audiences. John E. King’s _The Alternative Austrian Economics: A Brief History_ is another overall highly commendable contribution to that end. Anyone interested in the history of economic thought can benefit from King’s lucid reconstructions of economic theory, often embedded in the political and cultural context of interwar Vienna, and from the numerous references he provides for further study. King's history provides insight into the discourse in which eminent economists of the Austrian School developed their ideas and theories.

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Bibliographie

2022

Viel Mehr Als Nur Ökonomie

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Otto Neurath and Ludwig von Mises

Abstract: Uebel, and all others who supported me by critically challenging my ideas and/or otherwise. I gratefully acknowledge funding from the Austrian Science Fund (FWF): W 1228-G18 and the Austrian Academy of Sciences.

Cited by 3 publications

References 5 publications

Otto Neurath’s Scientific Utopianism Revisited-A Refined Model for Utopias in Thought Experiments

Otto Neurath’s Scientific Utopianism Revisited-A Refined Model for Utopias in Thought Experiments

Book Review: The Alternative Austrian Economics: A Brief History

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