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The Crimson Ed Board, which is usually a fairly center-left group of folk, enthusiastically welcomed Greg Mankiw to the post of teaching Ec 10; protonix generic. Protonix generic: i already briefly mentioned and had some comments on this last week. In fact, Jernigan’s comment is similar enough to the Ed Board’s position that I wonder if he’s been moonlighting.
In any event, I could not disagree more.First, it’s important to understand the relevance of the course; protonix generic.It is the biggest class at Harvard; protonix generic.It is taken by almost everyone who enters the fields of Government, Social Studies and, of course, economics.This is not a normal class in which a small bias can be ignored as a part of a greater whole.
Second protonix generic, the class used to be co-taught.Back when there were liberals in the Ec Department who didn’t openly accept the idiotic theory that individuals act on an inherently “rational” (read: selfish) basis and that society as a whole was improved when society as a whole progressed; protonix generic.It is accepting the presuppositions of the neoclassical conservative to say that this is science and liberal understandings of greater good are not; protonix generic.Do not believe it.
For more on this I would recommend reading two book and two articles. First, since most of you have probably read Smith’s Wealth of Nations in Ec 10, go read Theory of Moral Sentiments, his other book; protonix generic.You’re going to realize that our fetishized version of the neoclassical Smith is WAY off.Second protonix generic, read two articles from the late 19th century, the first by Sumner called “Sociology” in which he argues for a conservative “science of sociology” in which individuals act selfishly. Protonix generic: then, read the response by Ward called “Mind as a Psychic Factor” in which he argues that the human mind and the ability to have morality and progress that goes beyond acting selfishly, and instead learning to act collectively, is the most recent and important step in human evolution.
Thoughts?
Comments
Looks like somebody is taking US Social Thought.
Regarding Economics 10, it is noteworthy to point out that in the same Crimson where Mankiew was reported to be taking over the course, there was an article exploring Psychology and Economics, a field that reflects the variability and inconsistency of self-interest across different contexts.
The Crimson Editorial was correct to say that basic principles of economics are value-neutral and can be used to pursue different ends. However, I agree with Andrew that the course does not effectively demonstrate this point at the moment, and the Crimson Editorial fails to urge a more explicit emphasis on that point in the future. Anyone who has taken Economics 10 is familiar with the Sourcebook’s tendency to choose a straw man article to represent the liberal point of view, usually put up against four solid conservative articles.
Sumner and Ward show how value-neutral principles can be used to achieve different ends. Economics 10 must do a better job of illustrating that significant and essential point.
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