Human Action Study Guide: First Look
Have a look at this. This is the first-ever Human Action Study Guide, and congratulations to Robert Murphy for being the only person in 60 years who has managed to complete this task that has been attempted and attempted and attempted again, and which has been assigned to people every few years for the life of the book but never before completed.
In some ways, it strikes me as a historic moment. Human Action is the core text of the Austrian School and the most rigorous and extended defense of the free economy ever written. We'll have this guide available in the store by week's end, but you should have a look now. I'm quite confident that this book is going to be part of the core of Austrian literature very quickly on release.
Part of the genius here is the structure: summary, why it matters, technical notes, and study questions. The writing is exactly what you would expect from Murphy. It is crystal clear and very precise and always interesting.
It surprised me that the book came in at 380 pages, but part of the reason is the workbook format. It is designed for notes and accessibility.
This project dates back some years, though I'm not sure how many. Two? Three? Anyway, what matters here is that it is done and will soon be available. It will be sold as part of a set with Human Action or separately.
Comments (9)
Luke
Well done, Prof. Murphy! It will certainly make it easier and more rewarding reading Human Action with this guide.
Published: December 10, 2008 2:01 AM
Peter
Wonderful! Congratulations to all involved.
Published: December 10, 2008 5:22 AM
Bruce Koerber
This is like the mortar and Human Action is like the bricks and the architectural design.
Now let's see the Keynesians huff and puff.
Published: December 10, 2008 8:28 AM
Mark Knutson
I am reading Human Action, and will take a look at this study guide to see how it helps. As HA is both lengthy and full of thought-provoking insight, I suspect that only multiple readings will enable me to master it. A daunting prospect, but Mises thinks like I do--but more deeply, so I really enjoy reading him, though it is tough sledding at times.
I had never understood the phrase 'a priori' which is obviously a fundamental concept here, but once I related it to one of my favorite things, axiomatically based systems of thought, my comprehension began.
Published: December 10, 2008 10:33 AM
Richard
Excellent, will order it as soon as it's out.
I note that Walter Block's book on highway privatisation is due out in 2008, will it be released before the end of the month?
Published: December 10, 2008 12:00 PM
dong
How to buy one in China?
^^
I haven't even read HA, though I have already downloaded it.
Too tiring to read in front of the computer.
Published: December 11, 2008 2:43 AM
dong
How to buy one in China?
^^
I haven't even read HA, though I have already downloaded it.
Too tiring to read in front of the computer.
Published: December 11, 2008 2:44 AM
Cody
I have one question--when is Tucker going to write his book on the Old Right?
Published: December 11, 2008 4:02 AM
jeffrey
I would just be paraphrasing this
http://mises.org/store/Betrayal-of-the-American-Right-The-P434.aspx and http://mises.org/store/Reclaiming-the-American-Right-P512.aspx
Published: December 11, 2008 6:03 AM