Economic Science and the Austrian Method with Knut Svanholm (WiM390)
Nov 10, 2023
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Author and former tall ship sailor Knut Svanholm joins the show to discuss the book 'Economic Science and the Austrian Method.' They explore topics such as the axiom of action, rationalism vs empiricism, and the relevance of empiricism in determining truth. They also delve into the concepts of value, money, and economic theory vs economic history.
The axiom of action is the foundation for all economic theorems and understanding of human behavior.
Empiricism's claim to be the primary source of knowledge is self-defeating and lacks justification.
Observational data and theoretical frameworks complement each other, challenging the idea that empiricism alone is the sole source of knowledge.
Deep dives
Action is super substantive to all other categories
The axiom of action serves as the foundation for values, ends, means, choice, preference, cost, profit and loss, as well as time and causality. These categories are derived from our understanding and observation of human action, making the axiom of action irrefutable and forming the basis for all economic theorems.
Empiricism and the challenge of refutation
Empiricism's claim to be the primary source of knowledge is challenged by the fact that its central claim, that we cannot have access to absolute truth, is an absolute truth claim itself. This circularity renders empiricism void of justification and reduces it to an arbitrary verbal convention.
The interplay between theory and observation
Empiricism and theory are not mutually exclusive. Rather, they complement each other through an interplay of observational data and theoretical frameworks. This interplay allows for the refinement and improvement of theories based on empirical observations, challenging the claim that empiricism alone is the sole source of knowledge.
The inviolable nature of the axiom of action
The axiom of action is irrefutable in its nature, as any attempt to challenge or refute it would already be an action itself. It forms the basis for understanding human behavior and actions, and is the cornerstone for deducing economic theorems and understanding concepts such as values, preferences, and costs.
The mind-bending implications of economic science
The book 'Economics Science and the Austrian Method' dives into the mind-bending implications of the axiom of action, challenging traditional notions of knowledge and empiricism. It explores the logical framework underlying human action, the interplay between theory and observation, and the deep connections between value, preference, choice, cost, and profit. Through examining these concepts, the book highlights the intricacies and profound nature of economic science.
Knut Svanholm joins me to explore the excellent book "Economic Science and the Austrian Method" by Hans-Hermann Hoppe. In this episode, we discuss why the axiom of action is irrefutable, and rationalism vs empiricism.
Knut Svanholm is an author, former tall ship sailor, singer, and crew manager at an offshore shipping company. He is the co-host of the Freedom Footprint Show.
// OUTLINE // 00:00:00 - Coming up 00:00:24 - Intro 00:01:57 - Helping Lightning Startups with In Wolf's Clothing 00:02:43 - Introduction to the Book 00:05:16 - Economic Theory vs. Economic History 00:08:57 - Theory and Logical Deduction 00:12:01 - Testing of Economic Propositions 00:15:03 - Empiricism and Absolute Truth 00:18:18 - Why Austrian Economics Don't Need Empirical Testing 00:20:07 - Run Your Business from Anywhere with NetSuite 00:21:12 - Secure Your Bitcoin Stash with the iCoin Hardware Wallet 00:22:09 - Action Bridges Subjective and the Objective 00:25:36 - The Domain of Transjectivity and Relevance 00:29:28 - Causality is a Category of Action 00:31:25 - The Axiom of Action 00:35:50 - Choosing a Primary Course of Action 00:37:58 - Profits of Consensual and Voluntary Exchange 00:42:18 - Action Based on Priority and Ordinal Value 00:44:16 - Money and Price 00:47:56 - Valuation, Price Prediction and Marginalism 00:50:30 - Enhance Your Brain Power with Mind Lab Pro 00:51:36 - Take Control of Your Healthcare with CrowdHealth 00:52:38 - A Bitcoin Wallet with Privacy Built-In: Wasabi Wallet 00:53:30 - Why Axiom of Action is Irrefutable 00:59:37 - Empirical Proposition vs. Analytical Knowledge 01:04:45 - The Sun and the Earth Example 01:08:46 - Self-contradiction of Empiricism 01:11:43 - Where to Find Knut on the Internet