Friday, May 18, 2012

The Modern Sensibility: Arrogant Ignorance

Following the greatest explosion in individual investment and wealth the world has ever seen, there arose intellects of a different capacity who wanted to harness this wealth to their own benefit.

Governments instituted reforms which did more damage then good for their communities. Putting a tax on windows, overwhelming cities with workers without providing adequate housing, and issuing government directives without any thought for the consequences, nearly threatened the prosperity offered up by the industrial revolution and free market reforms.

The modern sensibility has always permitted itself to challenge the wisdom of the elders, the traditions of the ages that worked so well for so long. The tradition institutions of marriage, law, money, and cultural norms of respect without subsidy from the state, all have been subjected to heavy questioning from the elite class which would take control of the means of production in the "pretended" best interests of the people.

The ignorant arrogance which motivates the "highly educated" to question custom and culture is based solely on making judgments on though, feelings, actions. and results which remain unseen.

Herein lies the greatest challenge for Austrian economists. Persuading people to accept the awareness and salience of processes which are unseen yet real. If anything else, the Austrian school must champion promotion of spiritual values, for forces and results which are real, though not easily apparent.

No comments:

Post a Comment