»Libertär? Der Denker Thomas Sowell« - Michael Henkel auf den Studientagen im Winter 2025

This book is a comprehensive collection of Thomas Sowell's writings over a half century, covering a broad range of topics including social issues, economics, political issues, legal issues, race and ethnicity, educational issues, and more. The selections are drawn from his letters, books, newspaper columns, and articles in both scholarly journals and popular magazines. Sowell addresses these topics by drawing on history, economics, and sometimes humor. The book includes essays on various subjects and ends with a biographical sketch and random thoughts. Sowell's work often challenges conventional wisdom and presents a libertarian-conservative perspective on many controversial issues.

In this book, Thomas Sowell explores the fundamental differences in visions of human nature that underlie many political and ideological disputes. He identifies two primary visions: the 'constrained' vision, which sees human nature as inherently self-centered and limited by systemic processes, and the 'unconstrained' vision, which views human nature as malleable and perfectible through societal intervention. Sowell argues that these visions shape opinions on a wide range of issues, from justice and equality to power and social institutions. The book blends history, economics, philosophy, and law to provide a comprehensive understanding of these conflicting visions and their implications for political thought and action.

This textbook provides a straightforward and comprehensive introduction to basic macro and microeconomic concepts. It is designed to be accessible and is widely used in introductory economics courses. The book covers fundamental principles and theories in economics, making it a valuable resource for students and those new to the subject.

A Personal Odyssey is a memoir by Thomas Sowell that chronicles his life from growing up in Harlem to serving in the Marines and attending the Ivy League. It explores his transformation from a young Marxist to a prominent figure on the political right, detailing his experiences as a writer, teacher, and economist. The book offers insights into his personal and professional evolution amidst challenging times.

In 'Knowledge and Decisions,' Thomas Sowell examines how social and economic knowledge is transmitted through society and its impact on decision making. The book is divided into two parts: 'Social Institutions' and 'Trends and Issues.' Sowell argues against the centralization of decision-making power, advocating for decentralized decision making and criticizing the role of intellectuals and government agencies in distorting knowledge and decision-making processes. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the incentives and constraints that influence decision makers and warns about the dangers of abstract and elitist social visions replacing actual knowledge. The book won the 1980 Law and Economics Center Prize for its significant contribution to understanding the differences between market and government processes[1][4][5].