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Were any of the authors featured at the Misis Institute Christians?

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Jason M. Christos Posted: Mon, Nov 15 2010 4:36 PM | Locked

Were any of the authors featured at the Misis Institute Christians? 

I have noticed that 'von' Misis has thrown some stones at Christianity as a whole. I'm not so sure I can take his works seriously given that. So I am looking for alternative authors.

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Blueline976 replied on Mon, Nov 15 2010 4:40 PM | Locked

You can't take his works seriously because he may have been a critic of Christianity at some points?

It is far better to grasp the universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring. - Carl Sagan
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Bert replied on Mon, Nov 15 2010 4:41 PM | Locked

I wouldn't base any religious bias towards people who have pioneered liberty like authors of the Austrian School have done.  It's rather a lame reason for not taking someone seriously when their theories will stand the test of time and have proven themselves to be giants in the history of human thought.  Rothbard, Mises, and Block are athiest if I'm correct.  Hayek and Tucker are Catholic, and Lew Rockwell is Christian (I don't know what denomination), as for the big authors.  Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

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Sieben replied on Mon, Nov 15 2010 5:04 PM | Locked

Robert P Murphy is Christian. I actually think the majority of people speaking on the mises youtube channel are christian.

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Jason M. Christos replied on Mon, Nov 15 2010 5:40 PM | Locked

That is correct, unless he retracted his statments.

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nirgrahamUK replied on Mon, Nov 15 2010 5:48 PM | Locked

jasonmchristos, maybe economics isn't for you.....

Where there is no property there is no justice; a proposition as certain as any demonstration in Euclid

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Jason M. Christos replied on Mon, Nov 15 2010 5:51 PM | Locked

"I wouldn't base any religious bias towards people who have pioneered liberty like authors of the Austrian School have done."

Well I would and that is the point of this thread.

  "It's rather a lame reason for not taking someone seriously when their theories will stand the test of time and have proven themselves to be giants in the history of human thought. "

A theory may or may not 'stand the test of time', but will it withstand the tests of Eternity?

"Rothbard, Mises, and Block are athiest if I'm correct.  Hayek and Tucker are Catholic, and Lew Rockwell is Christian (I don't know what denomination), as for the big authors.  Someone correct me if I'm wrong."

Thank you for the list of the authors religios bias, this is what I was asking for.

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Jason M. Christos replied on Mon, Nov 15 2010 5:53 PM | Locked

Robert P Murphy is Christian. I actually think the majority of people speaking on the mises youtube channel are christian. "

Thank you, I will look over Robert P Murphy's works.

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Jason M. Christos replied on Mon, Nov 15 2010 5:55 PM | Locked

"jasonmchristos, maybe economics isn't for you....."

With all due respect for the moderator. If you do not mind I would like to make that decision for myself. Is that ok with you? 

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nirgrahamUK replied on Mon, Nov 15 2010 5:57 PM | Locked

You need to know if i am a christian before you can properly weigh my advice... right?

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Blueline976 replied on Mon, Nov 15 2010 6:19 PM | Locked

Why is the author's religion a factor if they're writing about economics? You'll never get anywhere if you only read works by Christian authors due to some aversion to a separate religious bias.
 

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Angurse replied on Mon, Nov 15 2010 6:21 PM | Locked

While raised Catholic, I believe Hayek became an agnostic later in his life.

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Daniel James Sanchez replied on Mon, Nov 15 2010 6:36 PM | Locked

Jason, do you suppose there is a Christian theory of the business cycle vs. a non-Christian one?

"the obligation to justice is founded entirely on the interests of society, which require mutual abstinence from property" -David Hume
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yuberries replied on Mon, Nov 15 2010 6:37 PM | Locked

A faculty spotlight blog entry has just revealed William Anderson to be a christian.

http://blog.mises.org/14592/faculty-spotlight-interview-william-l-anderson/

Personally IDC, I don't look for those things.

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Nielsio replied on Mon, Nov 15 2010 6:40 PM | Locked

Christos wrote:

I have noticed that 'von' Misis has thrown some stones at Christianity as a whole. I'm not so sure I can take his works seriously given that.

Why?

 

btw: It's Mises with an e.

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thelion replied on Mon, Nov 15 2010 6:49 PM | Locked

lol at this thread. Nirgraham already said what I wanted to say.

 

Edit:

There is no such thing as truth contingent upon who said it. Furthermore, I agree with him (and Hazlitt in another book) in that a fundementalist approach to religion, any religion, is socialistic, hence contrary to division of labour.

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bcyclwutztht replied on Mon, Nov 15 2010 6:59 PM | Locked

OP, I can understand your hesitation.  I am not sufficiently familiar with Mises's work to know why he holds a negative view of Christianity.  I doubt it has any necessary relation to his economics, though I could be wrong.  If it does, the root is probably to be found in his epistemology, which itself is worthy of serious consideration by anyone even remotely interested in economics, imho---regardless of whether an anti-Christian conclusion necessarily stems from it (I, for one, can't see how this is possible, fwiw.)

 

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Jason M. Christos replied on Mon, Nov 15 2010 7:01 PM | Locked

@Nielsio Simply because I am a Christian of course.

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Jason M. Christos replied on Mon, Nov 15 2010 7:03 PM | Locked

"Jason, do you suppose there is a Christian theory of the business cycle vs. a non-Christian one?"

That would be for another thread, for now I am just looking for Christian Authors.

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Jason M. Christos replied on Mon, Nov 15 2010 7:05 PM | Locked

"lol at this thread. Nirgraham already said what I wanted to say."

Is laughing at newbies a hazing thing for all or just Christians?

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Jason M. Christos replied on Mon, Nov 15 2010 7:06 PM | Locked

@yuberries thanks I will add that name to my list of works to consider reading.

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Jason M. Christos replied on Mon, Nov 15 2010 7:07 PM | Locked

@Blueline976 , no comment

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Angurse replied on Mon, Nov 15 2010 7:08 PM | Locked

 

@Nielsio Simply because I am a Christian of course.

Many of the mentioned individuals are Christians and they take Mises seriously.
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MaikU replied on Mon, Nov 15 2010 7:15 PM | Locked

Grayson Lilburne:

Jason, do you suppose there is a Christian theory of the business cycle vs. a non-Christian one?

 

This, also, my own observation, that most famous ancaps/austrians here are christians or at least, deists... But as an atheist I don't have problem with them at all. They also very rarely use word God. After all... where can you put "god" when you talk about economics???

"Dude... Roderick Long is the most anarchisty anarchist that has ever anarchisted!" - Evilsceptic

(english is not my native language, sorry for grammar.)

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thelion replied on Mon, Nov 15 2010 7:19 PM | Locked

Condillac, Bastiat, Jevons, Gossen, are proudly Christian, in their writings, because they believe in God; not because they believed in any religious authority and the rules associated with that authority.

Bastiat declared economic rules aways correct if they ever conflicted (quite often) with scripture. But he was deeply religious and went to Italy to die. Etc. Condillac held clerical papers, but his Treatise of Sensations would have gotten anyone less highly ranked than him quickly to exile.

 

What Bastiat or Gossen, who really used the word "God" extremely often in their writings, used God as a way of saying 'Nature', for instance.

What Mises is referring to is nothing against this, although he did not believe in God. What he finds dangerous is any rules of conduct, that happen to proclaim virtue as socialistic, that are often invoked in virtually any organized religion, and quite often in Christianity.

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Bert replied on Mon, Nov 15 2010 7:25 PM | Locked

Jason M. Christos:

Well I would and that is the point of this thread.

I didn't know mans thirst for knowledge has barriers for non-Christians (and the theories they produce).

Jason M. Christos:

A theory may or may not 'stand the test of time', but will it withstand the tests of Eternity?

That's a silly question.  I'm a heathen and I'm not sitting here contemplating whether a theory will make it within the halls of Valhalla or withstand Ragnarok.

I had always been impressed by the fact that there are a surprising number of individuals who never use their minds if they can avoid it, and an equal number who do use their minds, but in an amazingly stupid way. - Carl Jung, Man and His Symbols
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Blueline976 replied on Mon, Nov 15 2010 7:33 PM | Locked

@Blueline976 , no comment

What do you mean "no comment?" Why are you so concerned over what the religions of certain economists are? It could not possibly hurt to read their works, especially when religion is rarely talked about in economics texts. Hell, you might learn a thing or two.

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Telpeurion replied on Mon, Nov 15 2010 7:43 PM | Locked

To the original poster, here is Mises on this subject:

 

http://mises.org/liberal/ch1sec12.asp

This is apparently a Man Talk Forum:  No Women Allowed!

Telpeurion's Disliked Person of the Week: David Kramer

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Jason M. Christos replied on Mon, Nov 15 2010 9:43 PM | Locked

@Telpeurion Thanks that gives me some insight into Mises thinking. Judging by the tone and mood of the crowd I have attracted I think I will keep my comments on his outlook to myself.

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MisguidedThoughts replied on Mon, Nov 15 2010 9:53 PM | Locked

Let's see, Walter Block is an atheist, Rothbard was an atheist, Hayek was an agnostic, and Mises was an agnostic. Murphy's a Christian though, try his work if it bugs you that much.

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Jason M. Christos replied on Mon, Nov 15 2010 9:55 PM | Locked

@MisguidedThoughts yes i already have downloaded chaos theory and Human Action studyguide

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Bert replied on Mon, Nov 15 2010 10:52 PM | Locked

So you downloaded a study guide to a book you won't read due to the author's religious preference (of both the study guide and the original book)?

I had always been impressed by the fact that there are a surprising number of individuals who never use their minds if they can avoid it, and an equal number who do use their minds, but in an amazingly stupid way. - Carl Jung, Man and His Symbols
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Jesse replied on Mon, Nov 15 2010 10:57 PM | Locked

Jason M. Christos:

Were any of the authors featured at the Misis Institute Christians? 

I have noticed that 'von' Misis has thrown some stones at Christianity as a whole. I'm not so sure I can take his works seriously given that. So I am looking for alternative authors.

I am a Christian and an avid reader of Mises. I have (in my opinion) a thorough grasp of both Christian doctrine and Mises's work. Most of Mises's critical remarks about Christianity were aimed towards Christian socialists; a group of people who deserve to be excoriated. Misesian economics is rooted in praxeology and in the nature of acting man — notions which are themselves rooted in scripture. Misesian economics is Christian economics.

You might be interested in the work of John Robbins, and perhaps this lecture.

I Samuel 8

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William replied on Mon, Nov 15 2010 11:16 PM | Locked

Yes, quite a few, particularly Catholic. Bob Murphy probably being the one I would recommend reading if this is a concern for you.

"I am not an ego along with other egos, but the sole ego: I am unique. Hence my wants too are unique, and my deeds; in short, everything about me is unique" Max Stirner
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Jason M. Christos replied on Tue, Nov 16 2010 12:02 AM | Locked

"So you downloaded a study guide to a book you won't read due to the author's religious preference (of both the study guide and the original book)?"

 

No, the study guide was authored not by Mises. I did not say I would not read it, I said I do not know if I can take it seriously.

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Jason M. Christos replied on Tue, Nov 16 2010 12:08 AM | Locked

@MaikU

 

"After all... where can you put "god" when you talk about economics???"

 

I could answer that but I think you meant it rhetorically. Please people spare me the rhetoric I asked a simple and precise question.

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Jason M. Christos replied on Tue, Nov 16 2010 12:10 AM | Locked

@ Jesse

Adding John Robbins to my list.

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Jesse replied on Tue, Nov 16 2010 12:12 AM | Locked

Jason M. Christos:

"So you downloaded a study guide to a book you won't read due to the author's religious preference (of both the study guide and the original book)?"

No, the study guide was authored not by Mises. I did not say I would not read it, I said I do not know if I can take it seriously.

I hope you realize that by saying this, no one will take you seriously.

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Bert replied on Tue, Nov 16 2010 12:18 AM | Locked

No, the study guide was authored not by Mises. I did not say I would not read it, I said I do not know if I can take it seriously.

You won't read Human Action, because the author is not Christian, but you'll read the study guide to the book, because the author of the study guide is Christian...

With this logic you cannot be taken seriously.  You problem won't take this post seriously since I'm not Christian, right?

I had always been impressed by the fact that there are a surprising number of individuals who never use their minds if they can avoid it, and an equal number who do use their minds, but in an amazingly stupid way. - Carl Jung, Man and His Symbols
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DanielMuff replied on Tue, Nov 16 2010 1:15 AM | Locked

I can't believe no one mentioned Tom Woods.

To paraphrase Marc Faber: We're all doomed, but that doesn't mean that we can't make money in the process.
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