Guiding Principles of Sowell's Intellectual Method

Sowell's intellectual method is guided by several principles. Firstly, he distinguishes between two dominant visions of human nature—the constrained and utopian visions. The constrained vision recognizes inherent flaws in human beings and seeks progress through improved institutions, while the utopian vision believes in perfecting society by pushing for ideal social relations. Secondly, he emphasizes that there are no absolute solutions to human problems, only trade-offs. Thirdly, Sowell believes that the actual consequences of a public policy matter more than the intentions behind it. Fourthly, he highlights that 'who decides' is as important, if not more so, than 'what gets decided.' Fifthly, he stresses the concept of scarcity and the importance of understanding the limitations it imposes. Sixthly, Sowell argues that intellectuals possess less than 10% of a society's knowledge, with 90% being widely distributed among the common people. Lastly, he asserts that intellectuals often get it wrong due to the constraints and incentives that shape their professional lives. These guiding principles illuminate Sowell's approach towards analyzing and understanding various social issues.