Subnostr

Would "all unmarried men are bachelors, or that 2+2=4" properly be called theories? I think those are better described as axioms. The example from Mises might be a theory that one could try to prove, however.

I did think that a "thought experiment" of the type Einstein liked might fit with Mises' statement, though.

a source familiar with the matter 1y ago

They are tautological but not axioms

2+2=4 can be proven as a theorem of mathematics

Another example:

"Every effect has a cause"

Can you think of some way this could be tested?

Can you think of some way the human action claim can be tested?

A more familiar example:

"A binding minimum wage will result in higher unemployment than would otherwise have been the case"

Can you think of some way to test this?

You would have to apply and not apply the minimum wage to the same group of people at the same time (or perhaps you can find a large population of clones in identical circumstances).

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Discussion

Marakesh 𓅦 1y ago

Ok, I shouldn't have questioned the great Mises! 😄

I do still think that as a classical liberal he had too much confidence in the State, and didn't go as far as his student Rothbard.