Philosophy of economics

If I've done my job right, there isn't a single original thought in this book. The philosophy of economics is an area of study that cuts right across the interests and expertise of philosophers and economists. Com munication between the two hasn't been all that satisfactory for a number of years-though it seems to be getting better lately. The trick is to combine the important insights of the two for general use. This is espe cially important since everyday life doesn't separate into a philosophical part and an economic part. We simply have to make intelligent decisions based on our values, purposes, and best guesses about how any particular decision is likely to turn out. Philosophy and economics are thoroughly mixed in those decisions. So, I hope that I've put the philosophical thinking and economic thinking together in a useful way, a way that stimulates new thinking about economic life and makes that life more understandable.

Scholarship is best defined as piracy redeemed by footnotes. I certainly hope that I've redeemed all my piracy. In addition, the notes and sug gested readings are important for those who want to pursue matters beyond the confines of this book. That ought to be everybody, since I don't pretend to anything but the laying of some foundations here.

I have a number of friends to thank for their help: Monroe and Eliza beth Beardsley, Linda Dyke, George Johnson, Richard Schuldenfrei, Robert Simon, Neal Steinman, and Grace Stuart. That's the short list. The long list includes all the Temple students who've found their way into my classroom.