Practice Good Theory

Rand says that ideas are not innate. Even the broad axioms like "existence exists" that everyone takes for granted have to be gleaned from experience. This is contrary to epistemology that says that certain fundamental axioms are known a priori (e.g. see Ludwig von Mises). However, Rand was not unique in rejecting innate ideas. John Locke (Book 1 of " An Essay Concerning Human Understanding ") argues against the notion of innate propositions. His opponents consider notions like "What is is" (similar to "existence exists") as being innate in the human mind. Locke sets out to refute this view. Broad "speculative propositions" about existence, non-contradiction and identity are not innate, but must be discovered by man, through the use of reason. Moreover, other knowledge is not derived are a deductive conclusion from these broad propositions. Reason is the faculty to discover all knowledge: Having addressed "speculative...

Feb 2014 report:  "Good news" - U.S. total employment is only a few months away from reaching its peak (2007-08). The total number of people employed fell off by about 6 million people, and has now risen over 5 million from the bottom. The "bad news" is: the working-age population grew by about 12 million in the meanwhile; and employment is only just getting back to the pre-12 million level. Participation rate:  Oddly, of those 12 million, 10 million say they aren't looking for work! The "participation rate" has plunged. Today, anyone listening to business news knows that is one reason the unemployment rate has improved; i.e. fewer people have been looking for jobs. Not Early Retirement: The other day, a talking head on TV said that people are taking early retirement. Sounds plausible, but it shows ignorance. Here are two charts for U.S. men aged 55-64 The mid 1990s, saw a reversal of a long-term down-trend. Instead, more men in this age grou...