Read It Here First

http://www.futureofcapitalism.com/2009/12/read-it-here-first-28

From Poverty to Prosperity, the book by Arnold Kling and Nick Schulz reviewed here back on December 7, is the topic of David Brooks's column in today's New York Times. Mr. Brooks faults economists for having worldviews that are "excessively individualistic." This is kind of like those excessive profits that the White House wants to prevent the health insurance companies from reaping. I think New York Times columnists have worldviews that are excessively communitarian and insufficiently individualistic. But at a certain level, without an explanation of why Mr. Brooks finds the individualism of the economists to be "excessive," you are left with personal preferences or dispositions rather than reasoned arguments. Mr. Brooks finds the economists excessively "rationalistic," too. One is left wondering about the difference between being "reasonable" and being "rationalistic."

by Editor  |  Dec 22, 2009 at 9:51 am Related Topics:  Book Reviews, Press receive the latest by email: subscribe to the free futureofcapitalism.com mailing list