"No general rules about the effects of various modes of action and of definite social institutions can be derived from historical experience. In this sense the famous dictum is true that the study of history can teach only one thing: viz., that nothing can be learned from history. " -LvM, Theory and History.
Is Mises saying that history is useless or that men prefer to ignore the lessons of history?
Useless in what regard? I don’t think he’s saying that history is useless in that it is unknowable. I think this is simply a reaction to the Marxist classification of history as revolving around class struggles.
He’s simply saying that history is useless for the specific purpose of establishing laws in the social sciences.
Useless in what regard? I don’t think he’s saying that history is useless in that it is unknowable. I think this is simply a reaction to the Marxist classification of history as revolving around class struggles.
Yes, that was my first impression too.
He’s simply saying that history is useless for the specific purpose of establishing laws in the social sciences.
That makes more sense, thanks Lilburne.