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I have been thinking about a series of "debate" diaries in which we apply the Socratic method to economics to try to figure out exactly what we need to say and why. Just as I was thinking about that, Sven (Triloquist) asked in an open thread why do we have to work? which is exactly  the kind of questions I was thinking about. (I thought about other things like why do we use money?, or why do we pay or demand interest?, and so on).

It's all about taking common economic practice (or conventional wisdom) and asking why, and then why to that, and so on, until we reach a collection of basic, simple assumptions which can be intuitively challenged. Alternatives to these challenged assumptions should also be intuitive, and form the core of the message (or maybe the Lakoffian frame towards which we should try to steer any discussion of economic policy).

Any thoughts?

guaranteed to evoke a violent reaction from police is to challenge their right to "define the situation." --- David Graeber citing Marc Cooper

by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Mon Mar 20th, 2006 at 06:48:10 AM EST
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Please just do it. It's all part of the same sort of issue as discussions of a faireurope thingy.
by Colman (colman at eurotrib.com) on Mon Mar 20th, 2006 at 06:50:59 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Expect Economic Maieutics (I) tonight, then.


guaranteed to evoke a violent reaction from police is to challenge their right to "define the situation." --- David Graeber citing Marc Cooper
by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Mon Mar 20th, 2006 at 06:54:21 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Absolutely. And the faireurope text is a good example of where it might be more productive to apply a method like maieutics.
by afew (afew(a in a circle)eurotrib_dot_com) on Mon Mar 20th, 2006 at 07:57:48 AM EST
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I fear sometimes we think alike. I've been meaning to start a series of "nitpicker" diaries where I ask some really basic questions about the way we conceive of economic policy.

So, I think it's a great idea!

by Metatone (metatone [a|t] gmail (dot) com) on Mon Mar 20th, 2006 at 07:10:00 AM EST
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What's there to fear?

So, what's going on with the UK meetup? Supposedly we have over 50 UK members.

guaranteed to evoke a violent reaction from police is to challenge their right to "define the situation." --- David Graeber citing Marc Cooper

by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Mon Mar 20th, 2006 at 07:14:03 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Um, I'm unemployed and filled with self-loathing at the moment, so I ran out of motivation to make it happen...

I'll write another diary on it (meetup that is, not my psychological issues) tomorrow night and try and push things forward a bit.

by Metatone (metatone [a|t] gmail (dot) com) on Mon Mar 20th, 2006 at 08:18:50 AM EST
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Maybe you should try other EU countries, where your study abroad will actually be considered a plus by prospective employers.

guaranteed to evoke a violent reaction from police is to challenge their right to "define the situation." --- David Graeber citing Marc Cooper
by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Mon Mar 20th, 2006 at 08:21:31 AM EST
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But my nationality remains an handicap... ;-)
by Metatone (metatone [a|t] gmail (dot) com) on Mon Mar 20th, 2006 at 08:33:19 AM EST
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You could always outsource yourself to India</snark>

guaranteed to evoke a violent reaction from police is to challenge their right to "define the situation." --- David Graeber citing Marc Cooper
by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Mon Mar 20th, 2006 at 09:50:43 AM EST
[ Parent ]

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