Was Ludwig von Mises a Conventionalist?

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-ix

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2. Introduction: The Political Context of Mises’ Methodology

   • Alexander Linsbichler

   Pages 1-5

3. Mises and the Problem of Induction

   • Alexander Linsbichler

   Pages 7-33

4. Final Destination Relativistic Historicism?

   • Alexander Linsbichler

   Pages 35-41

5. Praxeology as an Alleged Solution of the Problem of Induction

   • Alexander Linsbichler

   Pages 43-56

6. A Classification Scheme for Epistemological Positions

   • Alexander Linsbichler

   Pages 57-72

7. A Conventionalist Interpretation of Mises’ Justification of the Fundamental Axiom

   • Alexander Linsbichler

   Pages 73-91

8. Praxeology as a Conventionalist Research Program

   • Alexander Linsbichler

   Pages 93-105

9. Essentialism in the Austrian School

   • Alexander Linsbichler

   Pages 107-112

10. Recapitulation and Final Thoughts

    • Alexander Linsbichler

    Pages 113-117

11. Appendix: Some Basic Concepts of Philosophy of Science

    • Alexander Linsbichler

    Pages 119-128

12. Back Matter

    Pages 129-151

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This book presents a concise introduction to the epistemology and methodology of the Austrian School of economics as defended by Ludwig von Mises. The author provides an innovative interpretation of Mises’ arguments in favour of the a priori truth of praxeology, the received view of which contributed to the academic marginalisation of the Austrian School. The study puts forward a unique argument that Mises – perhaps unintentionally – defends a form of conventionalism. Chapters in the book include detailed discussions of individualism, historicism, epistemological positions, and essentialism. The author goes on to discuss Mises’ justification of the fundamental axiom and proposes a conventionalist interpretation. By presenting praxeology as a conventionalist research programme, the author aims to reinvigorate the interaction between the Austrian School, mainstream economics, and the philosophy of science. This comprehensive reconstruction is suitable for economists interested in the history and philosophy of their discipline, as well as for philosophers of science.

• Praxeology
• Synthetic apriorism
• Conventionalism
• Austrian School of Economics
• Induction
• Demarcation
• Theoretical Social Sciences
• Karl Popper
• Individualism
• Essentialism

“In this book, Linsbichler provides a deliberate analysis of a number of Mises’ unsophisticated texts through a method Linsbichler calls rational reconstruction. Through this approach, Linsbichler appears to succeed in shedding new light on Mises’ epistemology.” (Natsuka Tokumaru, History of Economic Ideas, Vol. 26 (2), 2018)

• University of Vienna , Wien, Austria

  Alexander Linsbichler

Alexander Linsbichler is a Fellow and Lecturer at the University of Vienna, Austria, where he previously studied mathematics, mathematical logic and foundations, and philosophy of science. His main areas of expertise are the history and philosophy of science, mathematical philosophy, and the Austrian School of economics. His current research project is dedicated to the multi-faceted relation between the Austrian School and logical empiricism.

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