General

Re: Callout to Math majors

Smiling Dave — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:53:33 GMT

MA in math, main interest logic.

Von Neumann did mathematical economics? Hey, nobody's perfect [=good mathematician, bad economist].

Re: Callout to Math majors

Clayton — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:25:44 GMT

John von Neumann was definitely brilliant... you should also look into Alan Turing who worked in a lot of similar areas. He was basically the intellectual godfather of modern computation. Despite serving the Allied governments in WWII as a code-breaker, he was later destroyed by the British governent for his homosexuality and driven to suicide. Just goes to show the true nature of the State - it turns against even its most outsanding benefactors on a whim and destroys them whenever that suits its present purposes. Government - all government without exception - is dehumanizing and grotesque.

Clayton -

Re: Callout to Math majors

Friedmanite — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:41:17 GMT

Currently, a 2nd year math major. My favorite mathematician has to be Von Neumann, and he's done some stuff in mathematical economics. Not sure what to think of that.

Re: Callout to Math majors

Clayton — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:41:02 GMT

the abuse of mathematics in mainstream economics can be offensive to mathematical purists

"Mathematical economics" is all show and no go. It's designed to wow the math-handicapped public but, mathematically speaking, it is the most pedestrian form of arithmetization and blind quantification, it is not mathematics per se. Euler's equation, Lucas numbers, the Riemann zeta function, group theory... these are mathematics.

Clayton -

Re: Callout to Math majors

Clayton — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:32:52 GMT

Computer engineering with a minor in mathematics.

Clayton -

Re: Callout to Math majors

Fephisto — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:52:20 GMT

DBratton:

ladyattis:
Any room for... ...Discrete Mathmatics and Set Theory?

Yeah. But but if you're into that make certain you get a course in Abstract Algebra. That's the bedrock of set theory.

Someone's been reading a wee bit too much Lang.

Re: Callout to Math majors

JAlanKatz — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 01:38:02 GMT

I majored in math in college, currently about to enter grad school for mathematical logic/reverse mathematics.

I agree with many posts above - mainstream economists use pseudo-mathematical calculations, while Austrian economics is mathematical reasoning.

Re: Callout to Math majors

quicksilver — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 01:28:39 GMT

I agree. I would add that the abuse of mathematics in mainstream economics can be offensive to mathematical purists.

Re: Callout to Math majors

quicksilver — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 01:26:18 GMT

I like it. I have been in the profession for 19 years. I am on the property/casualty side of the profession. There have been a lot more opportunities to do interesting work in the last 7 years due to advances in statistical modeling software and an increasing emphasis on modeling. I have specialized in statistical modeling since 2006. Before that, I did routine stuff like rate filings.

The biggest downside is taking exams. I finished ACAS (associate) in 5 years and stopped taking exams. A lot of people will tell you not to do that but the difference in pay between fellows and associates is small and diminishes with experience.

Re: Callout to Math majors

Egoistorms — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 22:21:27 GMT

minor

Re: Callout to Math majors

DBratton — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 22:06:54 GMT

ladyattis:
Any room for... ...Discrete Mathmatics and Set Theory?

Yeah. But but if you're into that make certain you get a course in Abstract Algebra. That's the bedrock of set theory.

Re: Callout to Math majors

Fephisto — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 22:00:15 GMT

Wow, a lot more response than I expected. Let me know if any of you guys are near Purdue for a conference or something.

Re: Callout to Math majors

scineram — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 18:02:28 GMT

revolutionist:

It makes a lot of sense that Mathematicians are predisposed to Austrian Economics. Mathemematic truths are deducted from postulates to form theorems. This is rather similar to the Austrian method of deducting economic law from axioms.

Also easier to cut through the econometric modeling bs.

Utility functions and the like.

Re: Callout to Math majors

nje5019 — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 17:36:24 GMT

I picked up Math as a second major (Econ being my first).

Re: Callout to Math majors

richie2044 — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 15:47:35 GMT

Quicksilver:

I am interested in being an actuary. How do you like the profession?