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Why is Tyler Cowan, an economist, trying to answer this question himself? Why doesn't he interview a philosopher or several? Would we read a philosopher talk ab
by forapurpose 8y ago
Why is Tyler Cowan, an economist, trying to answer this question himself? Why doesn't he interview a philosopher or several? Would we read a philosopher talk about progress in economics? Will Cowan next address progress in software engineering? There's a real intellectual arrogance to the post.
- deleted 8y ago[deleted]
- ctkrohn 8y agoHe's actually done a few of those, for example this recent interview with Agnes Callard https://medium.com/conversations-with-tyler/agnes-callard-tyler-cowen-philosophy-socrates-plato-literature-c70a73cd38eb https://medium.com/conversations-with-tyler/agnes-callard-ty...
- TheCowboy 8y agoI think people generally don't speak well on the topic of economics, but it would be fine if an informed philosopher inquired about "progress" in economics. The topic of the philosophy of economics itself often is ignored or swept under the rug, and that's a shame. Economics has a lot to offer and isn't just what the ideological conceit of the moment deems it to be. Additionally, people should show an interest in fields that are external to their own narrow specialty, and ask meaningful questions to help them understand. The perspectives and methods of economics could definitely provide some insight on the topic of software engineering. It's a historically recent phenomenon, and there is plenty to be studied about its impact.
- forapurpose 8y ago> it would be fine if an informed philosopher inquired about "progress" in economics Inquiring is different than answering the question yourself by naming things easily accessible to economists - it implies that Cowan doesn't know anymore about philosophy than I do, and that his standard of 'progress' is 'things that I find useful'.