Having followed AustrianForum.com for some time, I found that the eventual inclusion of a Philosophy discussion category led to some enriching discussions and various links to fascinating content. Unfortunately, there would not seem to be a Philosophy discussion category on the Mises.com forums. It seems to me that a forum inspired by a branch of economics with a strong philosophical tradition would have been quick to include a Philosophy category. I see several users on mises.com asking questions of a largely philosophical nature in the economics or political forums. What has happened, then, is that out of necessity, these users have brought their philosophical questions to various semi-relevant forums, causing those philosophical discussions to become scattered throughout the various other categories, making them harder to seek directly.
I would like to advocate the inclusion of a Philosophy Forum on Mises.com. This category should probably showcase the idea of Misean Praxeology and promote ongoing discussions on that topic.
I recommend that this is done sooner, rather than later, in order to minimize any resulting disruption, especially should it be decided that any existing forum posts need to be redirected to the new category.
I for one find your suggestion well-needed. And I put the philosophical aspect of Austrian Economics well above that of its addressing problems in practical economics from the Austrian perspective. I have been trying to get questions answered on: https://forum.freecapitalists.org/t/3-ideas-to-improve-sustain-democracy/840 but know that its discussions belong on more to the plain of arguments on the nature of man and even teleology/ontology. A couple of key questions I’d like to have addressed are: does a belief in free market as understood by libertarians and anarchists equally mean faith in optimal outcomes (or just that it’s the best system available toward such, but in a flawed universe)? and how is the concept of democracy - with its one person, one vote; and government by consent of the people - not most compatible with free market economics (given that any other devised rulership requires a yielding of some portion of each person’s autonomy and proportional influence in the process)? I’d like to see those two questions answered, but am frustrated that they’re not read by those interested in questions at that higher, philosophical level - that’s really the basis from which all the rest of economic assumptions flow.
I agree. Many of the questions I have are philosophical in nature, and they usually end up getting thrown into the “General” forum. A dedicated philosophy forum would be useful. And think of the debates!
