Murray N. Rothbard vs. the Philosophers - Ludwig von Mises Institute
Murray N. Rothbard vs. the Philosophers - Ludwig von Mises Institute
Murray N. Rothbard vs. the Philosophers - Ludwig von Mises Institute
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MURRAY N. ROTHBARD VS. THE PHILOSOPHERS: UNPUBLISHED WRITINGS<br />
32 ON HAYEK, MISES, STRAUSS, AND POLYANI<br />
scattering of knowledge among particular situations in time<br />
and place among millions and millions of people. Given this,<br />
liberty becomes a direct consequence of <strong>the</strong> sharing and<br />
spreading of knowledge, which is a necessary condition for<br />
<strong>the</strong> unique and limited knowledge of individuals to be used in<br />
<strong>the</strong> best way. A liberal society in which <strong>the</strong>re is peaceful cooperation<br />
and <strong>the</strong> division of labor is one that “can make use of<br />
so much more knowledge than <strong>the</strong> mind of <strong>the</strong> wisest ruler<br />
could comprehend.” 55 The value of individual liberty<br />
rests chiefly on <strong>the</strong> recognition of <strong>the</strong> inevitable<br />
ignorance of all of us concerning a great many of<br />
<strong>the</strong> factors on which <strong>the</strong> achievement of our ends<br />
and welfare depends. If <strong>the</strong>re were omniscient<br />
men, if we could know not only all that affects <strong>the</strong><br />
attainment of our present wishes but also our<br />
future wants and desires, <strong>the</strong>re would be little<br />
case for liberty. . . . Liberty is essential in order<br />
to leave room for <strong>the</strong> unforeseeable and unpredictable;<br />
we want it because we have learned to<br />
expect from it <strong>the</strong> opportunity of realizing many<br />
of our aims. 56<br />
For <strong>Rothbard</strong>, on <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r hand, human ignorance is too<br />
uncertain a basis for liberty. 57 According to <strong>the</strong> au<strong>the</strong>ntic<br />
rationalist <strong>the</strong>ory, we should be able to know what is best<br />
for man and to found absolute values on human nature. 58<br />
<strong>Rothbard</strong> dismisses <strong>the</strong> Hayekian premises as an “attack on<br />
man’s reason.” 59 It seems to me, however, that precisely on<br />
55F.A. Hayek, The Constitution of Liberty (Chicago: University of<br />
Chicago Press, 1960), p. 31.<br />
56Ibid., p. 29.<br />
57<strong>Rothbard</strong>, “Letter on The Constitution of Liberty by F.A.<br />
Hayek”; see p. 71 in this volume.<br />
58<strong>Rothbard</strong>, “Memo to <strong>the</strong> Volker Fund on F.A. Hayek’s Constitution<br />
of Liberty”; see p. 61 in this volume.<br />
59Ibid.