Synopses & Reviews
A well-trained theologian, a gifted and dedicated teacher of economics for over forty years, and the author of a highly regarded and widely used textbook,
The Economic Way of Thinking, Paul Heyne influenced generations of students of economics. Many of the essays in this volume are published here for the first time. The editors, Geoffrey Brennan and A. M. C. Waterman, have divided Heynes essays thematically to cover three general areas: the ethical foundations of free markets, the connection between those ethical foundations and Christian thought, and the teaching of economicsboth method and substance.
Heynes writings are unique in that he takes the critics of the free market order seriously and addresses their arguments directly, showing how they are defective in their understanding of economics and in their ethical and theological underpinnings. The engaging style of Heynes essays makes them accessible to students as well as to scholars. Even in discussions of topics well beyond the fundamental level, Heyne still succeeds in providing students with an appreciation of basic economic principles.
Paul Heyne (19312000) taught at Valparaiso University (195766), Southern Methodist University (196676), and the University of Washington (19762000)
Table of Contents
Introduction vii
Part 1: Economics and Ethics
CHAPTER 1 Are Economists Basically Immoral? 1
CHAPTER 2 Economics and Ethics: The Problem of Dialogue 10
CHAPTER 3 Income and Ethics in the Market System 29
Part 2: Economics and Theology
CHAPTER 4 Can Homo Economicus Be Christian? 49
CHAPTER 5 Economic Scientists and Skeptical Theologians 81
CHAPTER 6 Christian Theological Perspectives on the Economy 97
CHAPTER 7 Controlling Stories: On the Mutual Influence of Religious Narratives and Economic Explanations 118
Part 3: Economics, Theology, and Justice
CHAPTER 8 Justice, Natural Law, and Reformation Theology 133
CHAPTER 9 The Concept of Economic Justice in Religious Discussion 151
CHAPTER 10 The U.S. Catholic Bishops and the Pursuit of Justice 171
CHAPTER 11 Jewish Economic Ethics in a Pluralist Society 192
Part 4: Economics and History
CHAPTER 12 Christian Social Thought and the Origination of the Economic Order 213
CHAPTER 13 Clerical Laissez-Faire: A Case Study in Theological Studies 238
Part 5: On Teaching and Learning
CHAPTER 14 “The Nature of Man”: What Are We After? 267
CHAPTER 15 Researchers and Degree Purchasers 276
Part 6: Teaching Economics
CHAPTER 16 Economics Is a Way of Thinking 293
CHAPTER 17 Teaching Introductory Economics 302
CHAPTER 18 Teaching Economics by Telling Stories 315
CHAPTER 19 Between Sterility and Dogmatism 328
Part 7: Economic Method
CHAPTER 20 Ethics on The Road to Serfdom and Beyond 339
CHAPTER 21 Measures of Wealth and Assumptions of Right: An Inquiry 348
CHAPTER 22 The Foundations of Law and Economics: Can the Blind Lead the Blind? 366
Part 8: Policy Commentary
CHAPTER 23 What Is the Responsibility of Business under Democratic Capitalism? 391
CHAPTER 24 The Morality of Labor Unions 409
CHAPTER 25 An Economic Perspective on Illegal Drugs 436
CHAPTER 26 Economics, Ethics, and Ecology 441
Index 471