Economics and Literature: A Tribute and Celebration | Paul A. Cantor

Presented by Paul A. Cantor at the 2010 Austrian Scholars Conference. Includes the presentation of the annual O.P. Alford Prize in Libertarian Scholarship ($1,000), an introduction by Jeffrey Tucker, and closing remarks by Mises Institute president Douglas French. The ASC is the international, interdisciplinary meeting of the Austrian School, and is for scholars interested or working in this intellectual tradition. Held at the Mises Institute, Auburn, Alabama, March 11-13, 2010.

• Category

  News & Politics

[reapfreak]

*sigh* I read constantly and I feel I have a very rational philosophy based on Austrian economic theory, libertarian self ownership principles, and evolutionary psychology but I'm the worst debater out there. The problem is that statist keynesians feel they don't need to justify their position but as an anarcho-capitalist I do.

[603881]

You know, it's hard to put it to words, but the best argument for a free market is simply pointing to real life examples - it's the people who spend their lives twisting words that have something to hide.

[robzrob]

Someone who calls himself 'Paladin' doesn't like capitalism? Why am I not surprised?

[Robert Spencer]

I'm an atheist.

I owe money to the government only.

Bronze is made of stuff that's less rare than gold.

How do you justify things that are less valuable being more valuable than things that are more valuable? Does Mohammed suggest smoking opium?

[Robert Spencer]

You have just included every human being in existence with your argument...

I'm yawning, I'm so impressed.

[Robert Spencer]

Does making up alternate meanings for words work for you? Just curious.

Economics IS a science. "Anthropology" is the science that studies culture.

Try to keep up with the English language. Words actually mean something to the rest of us.

[Robert Spencer]

I love how people throw the word, "exploited" around. It's an emotional buzz-word. Nothing more. Those poor "exploited" individuals have all the freedom in the world to quit. They have the freedom to find another employer.

An employer that no one wants to work for is going to have a hard time producing anything. That's the law of supply and demand.

[Blair Starr]

reap - don't worry about that - not everyone has the capacity for verbal debate. I certainly don't. Perhaps writing down your ideas is more your strength.

[Individualism101]

All you need to defeat them is socratic questioning.

[BachGuitar3]

participate and are apart of this institution are an inspiration.