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Palgrave Macmillan

Was Ludwig von Mises a Conventionalist?

A New Analysis of the Epistemology of the Austrian School of Economics

  • Book
  • © 2017

Overview

Authors:
  1. Alexander Linsbichler

    1. University of Vienna , Wien, Austria

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  • Re-examines praxeology, the methodology of the Austrian School of economics
  • Presents the unique argument that Mises defended a form of conventionalism
  • Offers a conventionalist reading which renders the Austrian School more accessible for mainstream economists

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Table of contents (10 chapters)

  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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Keywords

About this book

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.

Reviews

“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)

Authors and Affiliations

  • University of Vienna , Wien, Austria

    Alexander Linsbichler

About the author

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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