Where to start reading Hayek? \ stacker news ~bitcoin

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3208 sats \ 12 comments \ @scottathan 4 Sep 2023 bitcoin

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

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

535 sats \ 1 reply \ @Undisciplined 4 Sep 2023

I've never seen a real copy in the wild.

1414 sats \ 0 replies \ @siggy47 4 Sep 2023

https://imgprxy.stacker.news/Tqn3Gvyx8QGXkC3lPvW7Sjgkx9htu5BmGeeMUanL29g/rs:fit:600:500:0/g:no/aHR0cHM6Ly9pLnBvc3RpbWcuY2MvcFgwQkJTS1kvaHVtYW5hLmpwZw

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.

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.

9 sats \ 0 replies \ @Salekromcy 4 Sep 2023

Thanks for the replies. Zapped both of you. v4v

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @ceife 5 Sep 2023

Dont read it :|

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