Re: Ecological Economics - Sustainability requires...

On 01/17/2008, Lysander wrote:

> On 01/16/2008 21:50:07 Robert Vienneau <rvien@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
wrote:

>>> "Lysander" <lysander@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message
>>>news:cc386202-b2b2-479b-9672-2330474812b2@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>>>> Scientist do not use metaphors.  Economist do not use metaphors.

>> John is arguing against the current expert consensus.

I did make a mistake above. John does not do arguments.

>> As examples, I cite
>> both Deirde McCloskey and Philip Mirowski - two specialists who
disagree
>> on much else.

> I would hardly call McCloskey and Mirowski the consensus. They
> both try to mount attacks on what they view is wrong with mainstream.

John means "mainstream economics". But that is not the relevant
field to look for experts on this question. If fact, mainstream
economists, as I understand it, are socialized to remain ignorant
of the relevant literature.

The literature I refer to is on the philosophy, history, and
sociology of economics, especially such literature that engages
with the literature on the philosophy, history, and sociology
of science. And the current tendency in these literatures is
to view scientists and economists as using metaphors.

> McCloskey particularly has gone on record complaining about how
> Notre Dame and "the consensus" tried to drive economist she agreed
> with out of their tenure positions.

As far as I know, the above is untrue. In particular, McCloskey
has significant disagreements with the non-mainstream economists
at Notre Dame at the time. I expressed my opinion on the
existence of disagreement between McCloskey and Mirowski in
the post to which John is pretending to reply.

But McCloskey's opinion on the purge at Notre Dame is not
on-topic. I bring up McCloskey because of a 1983 article in
the Journal of Economic Literature, later expanded and
built upon.

> [ Off-topic untruths - deleted. ]

-- 
Whether strength of body or of mind, or wisdom, or virtue,
are found in pro****tion to the power or wealth of a man is
a question fit perhaps to be discussed by slaves in the
hearing of their masters, but highly unbecoming to
reasonable and free men in search of the truth.
    -- Jean Jacques Rousseau