I've been learning a lot about Austrian economics lately (recently read Austrian Economics: An Introduction) and I want to start reading Hayek. I've heard that his work can be a little dense and that you have to start in the right place. For any of you that have read Hayek, where would be the best place to start? Thanks
639 sats \ 6 replies \ @siggy47 4 Sep 2023
I always found Hayek more accessible than Van Mises. The Road To Serfdom is a masterpiece, and clearly written. My favorite introduction to Austrian Economics is Henry Hazlitt's Economics In One Lesson. It's well written, easy to understand, and brilliant.
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1155 sats \ 5 replies \ @Undisciplined 4 Sep 2023
I agree on Hazlitt as the place to start, but the real masterpiece is Mises' Human Action.
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548 sats \ 4 replies \ @siggy47 4 Sep 2023
No argument here. The OP was interested in Hayek. I remember working my way through Human Action in the early 1990s. I was used to reading in bed. No kindles back then. First of all, it was enormous! Also, it was like being back in college. I had to sit at my desk and drink coffee to stay alert. It took me a long time, and I found it challenging. Part of it was the fact that it turned everything I thought I knew about economics upside down. It's certainly a masterpiece.
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1164 sats \ 3 replies \ @Undisciplined 4 Sep 2023
I got so energized by the Ron Paul Revolution that I read Human Action on my iPhone 3, when I was an undergrad, because I couldn't get my hands on a hard copy.
I was planning on recommending reading Mises before Hayek, but you're definitely right about starting with Hazlett.
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30 sats \ 2 replies \ @siggy47 4 Sep 2023
On your iPhone! We are from different generations. My copy of Human Action looks like an old big city phone book.
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535 sats \ 1 reply \ @Undisciplined 4 Sep 2023
I've never seen a real copy in the wild.
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1414 sats \ 0 replies \ @siggy47 4 Sep 2023
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52 sats \ 0 replies \ @TomK 4 Sep 2023
Start by reading ''The Road To Serfdom''. It opens the door to libertarianism. After that the other classic: The Constitution Of Liberty. It will provide You with the best weaponry in any debate with our commie friends.
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29 sats \ 0 replies \ @elvismercury 4 Sep 2023
I think Constitution of Liberty is easier to read than Road to Serfdom, and more expansive, but YMMV.
But as a place to actually start, I would say, read the foundational paper The Use of Knowledge in Society. Then, if you never read anything else, you will have a key foundation to think about not only money and economics, but complexity and coordination.
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9 sats \ 0 replies \ @Salekromcy 4 Sep 2023
Thanks for the replies. Zapped both of you. v4v
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0 sats \ 0 replies \ @ceife 5 Sep 2023
Dont read it :|
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0 sats \ 0 replies \ @cstack 5 Sep 2023
Friedrich Hayek: A Biography
Hayek didn't write it, but it is a very accessible account of his life and work.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0312233442/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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