What is the fatal conceit that
gives the book its title? I saw only two meanings clearly given:
- The idea that the ability to acquire skills stems from reason (p. 21).
- The idea that the ability to acquire skills stems from reason (p. 21).
- That
man is able to shape the world around him according to his wishes (p. 27).
The first exaggerates. While
reason may help to acquire skill, perception and other interactions with the external world have huge roles. The second is
true to a significant degree. Whenever humans make any machine or construct a building,
they shape the world around them according to their wishes.
On the other hand, the theme of the book is that some humans believe they can via government design and control a large society according to their wishes, achieving what they intend and without unintended consequences. This is the same theme Hayek expressed elsewhere without Bartley being an editor.
On the other hand, the theme of the book is that some humans believe they can via government design and control a large society according to their wishes, achieving what they intend and without unintended consequences. This is the same theme Hayek expressed elsewhere without Bartley being an editor.
Content like this and that
noted in my previous post add to my suspicion that Bartley had a heavy hand in
the writing of The Fatal Conceit.
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