Episode · EconTalk · 2023-11-27
Books mentioned on Tyler Cowen on the GOAT of Economics
Who is the greatest economist of all time? In Tyler Cowen's eclectic view, you need both breadth and depth, macro and micro.
Tyler Cowen recommended General Theory Of Employment , Interest And Money by John Maynard Keynes, The Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith, Essays in positive economics by Milton Friedman, The Road to Serfdom by F. A. Hayek, The Subjection of Women by John Stuart Mill and others, On Liberty by John Stuart Mill, Utilitarianism by John Stuart Mill, and An Essay on the Principle of Population by Thomas Malthus, discussed The Book of Basketball by Bill Simmons, Teachings from the Worldly Philosophy by Robert L. Heilbroner, Milton Friedman by Jennifer Burns, Capitalism and freedom by Milton Friedman, and Free to Choose by Milton Friedman, and criticized The Constitution of Liberty by Friedrich August Hayek. Russ Roberts discussed Foundations of Economic Analysis by Paul Anthony Samuelson, The economics of discrimination by Gary Stanley Becker, A Treatise on the Family by Gary S. Becker, Law, Legislation, and Liberty, Volume 19 by F. A. Hayek, Law, Legislation and Liberty, Volume 1 by F. A. Hayek, Principles of Political Economy by John Stuart Mill, and The Theory of Moral Sentiments by Adam Smith.
Books mentioned, in the order they came up
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The Book of Basketball
The Book of Basketball by Bill Simmons is a comprehensive and engaging history of the National Basketball Association that blends historical analysis, cultural commentary, and player rankings.
Discussed“one was H bruners the worldly economists and the other is that big Bill Simmons book about NBA players book of basketball”
Where to get it
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Teachings from the Worldly Philosophy
Discussed“one was H bruners the worldly economists and the other is that big Bill Simmons book about NBA players book of basketball”
Where to get it
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Milton Friedman
Milton Friedman by Jennifer Burns is a comprehensive biography exploring the life, ideas, and intellectual legacy of the influential conservative economist.
Discussed“the new Jennifer Burns book about Milton Friedman is excellent I think that will do very well”
Where to get it
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Foundations of Economic Analysis
Foundations of Economic Analysis by Paul Anthony Samuelson is a seminal 1948 economics text that profoundly shaped the discipline by applying advanced mathematics to human behavior and economic theory in unprecedented ways.
Discussed“uh the 1948 foundations of economic analysis had a big impact on the field”
Where to get it
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The economics of discrimination
The Economics of Discrimination by Gary Stanley Becker is a foundational 1957 economic text that models racial disparities and prejudice through rational choice theory and personal animus.
Discussed“uh I think you're a little unfair to the subtlety that he brings in books like the economics of discrimination and a tretis on the Family”
Where to get it
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A Treatise on the Family
Discussed“uh I think you're a little unfair to the subtlety that he brings in books like the economics of discrimination and a tretis on the Family”
Where to get it
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General Theory Of Employment , Interest And Money
John Maynard Keynes's influential 1936 economic treatise reshaped macroeconomic policy and continues to provoke critical debate among modern economists and scholars.
Recommended“even kan's general theory if you don't want to read the whole book just read chapter 12”
Where to get it
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The Wealth of Nations
The Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith is a foundational text in classical economics that explores the nature and causes of national wealth through the division of labor, productivity, and free markets.
Recommended“Smith Wealth of Nations most of all and I don't think you have to read all of it”
Where to get it
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Essays in positive economics
Essays in Positive Economics by Milton Friedman is a foundational collection of scholarly writings that establishes the methodological framework for modern economic theory and policy analysis.
Recommended“fredman the book essays in positive economics if you had to start one place”
Where to get it
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Capitalism and freedom
Capitalism and Freedom by Milton Friedman is a foundational economic text arguing for the preeminence of competitive capitalism and limited government intervention as prerequisites for individual liberty.
Discussed“so if you want purely popular takes there's free to choose there's capitalism and freedom”
Where to get it
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Free to Choose
Free to Choose by Milton Friedman is a classic exposition of free-market economics and classical liberalism that argues for the supremacy of individual choice over government intervention.
Discussed“so if you want purely popular takes there's free to choose there's capitalism and freedom”
Where to get it
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The Road to Serfdom
F.
Recommended“also wrote to surum is a wonderful book and much maligned”
Where to get it
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The Subjection of Women
The Subjection of Women by John Stuart Mill and Harriet Taylor Mill is a foundational philosophical text arguing for complete gender equality and the abolition of legal subordination within society.
Recommended“the single best thing to read is actually subjection of women which is thought of as a feminist tract”
Where to get it
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On Liberty
On Liberty by John Stuart Mill is a classic 1959 political essay that serves as one of history's most robust defenses of individual freedom, free expression, and intellectual liberty.
Recommended“so of course there's on Liberty there's utilitarianism”
Where to get it
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Utilitarianism
Utilitarianism by John Stuart Mill is a foundational philosophical text that articulates the ethical framework emphasizing the greatest happiness principle and the moral significance of actions.
Recommended“there's utilitarianism many many wonderful essays”
Where to get it
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An Essay on the Principle of Population
An Essay on the Principle of Population by Thomas Malthus is a foundational 1798 economic and demographic text arguing that population growth tends to outpace agricultural production, leading to inevitable resource scarcity and societal competition.
Recommended“malus the Third Edition and I do stress the import of this not the first edition the Third Edition of essay on population”
Where to get it
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The Constitution of Liberty
Friedrich Hayek's The Constitution of Liberty is a foundational text of classical liberalism, defending individual freedom, the rule of law, and limited government.
Critiqued“I don't love constitution of Liberty to me it's far inferior to John Stewart Mill”
Where to get it
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Law, Legislation, and Liberty, Volume 19
Law, Legislation, and Liberty by F.
Discussed“but I read law legislation and Liberty and I don't think it totally makes sense”
Where to get it
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Law, Legislation and Liberty, Volume 1
Law, Legislation and Liberty, Volume 1 by F.
Discussed“but I read law legislation and Liberty and I don't think it totally makes sense”
Where to get it
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Principles of Political Economy
Principles of Political Economy by John Stuart Mill is a foundational nineteenth-century treatise exploring classical economics, production, distribution, and the role of government in society.
Discussed“now one of the clever parts of this book and delightful Parts is that most people he did write a book called the principles of political economy that has e economy in the title”
Where to get it
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The Theory of Moral Sentiments
The Theory of Moral Sentiments by Adam Smith is a seminal 1759 work of moral philosophy that examines the psychological foundations of human judgment, empathy, and social order.
Discussed“yes about his book The Theory of world sentiments which you I believe underrate badly Tyler”
Where to get it
