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Friedrich Hayek: A Biography: A Biography
This biography tells the story of one of the most important public figures of the twentieth century, Friedrich Hayek.
Here is the first full biography of Friedrich Hayek, the Austrian economist who became, over the course of a remarkable career, the great philosopher of liberty in our time. In this richly detailed portrait, Alan Ebenstein chronicles the life, works, and legacy of a visionary thinker, from Hayek's early years as the scholarly son of a physician in fin-de-siecle Vienna on an increasingly wider world as an economist and political philosopher in London, New York, and Chicago.
Ebenstein gives a balanced, integrated account of Hayek's extraordinary diverse body of work, from his fist encounter with the free market ideas of mentor Ludwig Von Mises to his magisterial writings in later life on the legal, political, ethical, and economic requirements of a free society. Awarded the Nobel Prize in 1974, Hayek's vision of a renewed classical liberalism-of free markets and free ideas in free societies-has taken hold in much of the world.
Alan Ebenstein's clearly written account is an essential starting point for anyone seeking to understand why Hayek's ideas have become the guiding force of our time. His illuminating portrait of Hayek the man brings to new life the spirit of a great scholar and tenacious advocate who has become, in Peter Drucker's words, "our time's preeminent social philosopher."
Here is the first full biography of Friedrich Hayek, the Austrian economist who became, over the course of a remarkable career, the great philosopher of liberty in our time. In this richly detailed portrait, Alan Ebenstein chronicles the life, works, and legacy of a visionary thinker, from Hayek's early years as the scholarly son of a physician in fin-de-siecle Vienna on an increasingly wider world as an economist and political philosopher in London, New York, and Chicago.
Ebenstein gives a balanced, integrated account of Hayek's extraordinary diverse body of work, from his fist encounter with the free market ideas of mentor Ludwig Von Mises to his magisterial writings in later life on the legal, political, ethical, and economic requirements of a free society. Awarded the Nobel Prize in 1974, Hayek's vision of a renewed classical liberalism-of free markets and free ideas in free societies-has taken hold in much of the world.
Alan Ebenstein's clearly written account is an essential starting point for anyone seeking to understand why Hayek's ideas have become the guiding force of our time. His illuminating portrait of Hayek the man brings to new life the spirit of a great scholar and tenacious advocate who has become, in Peter Drucker's words, "our time's preeminent social philosopher."
320 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2001
15 people are currently reading
128 people want to read
About the author
Alan Ebenstein
13 books7 followersAlan Oliver (Lanny) Ebenstein is an American political scientist, educator and author, known from his biographical works on Friedrich Hayek and Milton Friedman.
Born in Princeton, New Jersey to William Ebenstein (1910-1976), who was also an educator and author, and Ruth Ebenstein. He obtained his BA at the University of California, Santa Barbara in 1982, and his phD at the London School of Economics in 1988.
After his graduation Ebenstein was instructor at the Antioch University from 1990 to 1993, and was director of research at the Arthur N. Rupe Foundation, established by Art Rupe. In 1992 he was Republican nominee at the California State Assembly election, 1992 for the 35th District. From 1990 to 1998 he was member of the Santa Barbara Board of Education. Since 2008 he is lecturer in economic history at the University of California, Santa Barbara. He also became adjunct scholar at the Cato Institute.
In 1988 Ebenstein co-edited the 5th edition of the Great political thinkers: Plato to the present, which was first published in 1952 edited by his father. Since the 1990s he wrote a series of biographies on economists, starting with Edwin Cannan in 1997, and further on Friedrich Hayek in 2001, and Milton Friedman in 2007.
Born in Princeton, New Jersey to William Ebenstein (1910-1976), who was also an educator and author, and Ruth Ebenstein. He obtained his BA at the University of California, Santa Barbara in 1982, and his phD at the London School of Economics in 1988.
After his graduation Ebenstein was instructor at the Antioch University from 1990 to 1993, and was director of research at the Arthur N. Rupe Foundation, established by Art Rupe. In 1992 he was Republican nominee at the California State Assembly election, 1992 for the 35th District. From 1990 to 1998 he was member of the Santa Barbara Board of Education. Since 2008 he is lecturer in economic history at the University of California, Santa Barbara. He also became adjunct scholar at the Cato Institute.
In 1988 Ebenstein co-edited the 5th edition of the Great political thinkers: Plato to the present, which was first published in 1952 edited by his father. Since the 1990s he wrote a series of biographies on economists, starting with Edwin Cannan in 1997, and further on Friedrich Hayek in 2001, and Milton Friedman in 2007.
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August 20, 2016读书笔记
《Friedrich hayek A biography》Alan Ebenstein
哈耶克提出了Spontaneous Order概念：个人可以按自己的意愿彼此交换、互动，没人集中管理决策，只要不伤害他人。在自发秩序的概念中，法制取代了人治，真正的自由就是法律至上。哈耶克是完全的反社会主义者，是自由主义和市场经济的捍卫者。
1899年哈耶克生于维也纳，维特根斯坦是他远房外甥。犹太复国主义政治运动创始人Theodor Herzl和希特勒都生于维也纳。维也纳曾为神圣罗马帝国首都，后为奥地利帝国首都，1867年成为奥匈帝国首都，是日耳曼语世界的文化中心，也是世界音乐之都。奥地利帝国贵族分两级，’冯（von）’是第二级中的第四等（最低一等），是最常见的贵族。
哈耶克区分了两类个人主义：正确的个人主语源于英格兰和苏格兰，强调个人理性无足轻重，是一种谦逊的信念；错误的个人主义根源在笛卡尔的唯理主义，强调个人理性的重要性，高估了单个天才人物的才能。社会主义的将全部决策归于一个人的理论根本上就是一种霸权主义。
哈耶克对民主的理解：社会主义不是正当的，即使它可能是民主地建立起来的。民主本质是中性的，从根本上说民主是维护国内稳定和和人自由的手段和重要工具，而不是目的。以为只要权利是通过民主授予的，就不会是专断的，这种想法是没有根据的。
贯穿于哈耶克普遍和平理想中的是哈耶克对法律的关注。最终出现的不是世界性政府，而是世界性法律。该理念背后的理想是，一切人在道德上都是平等的。
哈耶克晚年在很多场合都说过，他共有一个发现和两个发明：发现是指只是分工，两项发明是指关于代议政府的设想和提出的货币改革建议。他对货币改革的设想超越了他的时代。哈特可最初提出的货币改革建议，即允许各国货币形成一个竞争性市场（这是允许私人发行货币的第一步），曾被撒切尔政府用在欧洲货币改革讨论中：“以哈耶克提出的互相竞争的货币思想为基础，货币发行权保留在各国中央银行手中，但允许货币完全自由地兑换，没有任何法律限制。这样，正好跟格雷欣法则Greshaw’s Law相反，良币会逐渐驱逐劣币，最后从理论上说，欧洲会通过自由选择而形成单一货币。”
日耳曼历史：
第一帝国（1000年）——
查理曼大帝最初是法兰克王国的国王，后于公元800年创立神圣罗马帝国，成为开国皇帝。为他加冕的是天主教教皇利奥三世，利奥三世统治原古罗马帝国西部和日耳曼地区。在神圣罗马帝国鼎盛的10-11世纪，其疆域包括今天的德国、奥地利、瑞士、比利时、荷兰、法国东部、意大利北部和中部、捷克共和国、波兰西部的全部或大部分。→ 几个世纪后，皇帝不再有实权，日耳曼民族各个小国的公侯掌权。惨烈的30年战争后，1648年奥地利境内的天主教皇丧失了对德国境内信封新教的国王们的统治，神圣罗马帝国苟延残喘到拿破仑时代，奥地利的弗朗西斯二世与1806年逊位。→ 17世纪90年代到1815年是拿破仑入侵战争，众多日耳曼小国反而统一抗敌，奥地利的统治家族哈布斯堡王朝一直最坚定。根据1815年维也纳会议，在俄罗斯和英国之间建立了普鲁士和奥地利帝国，作为“防波堤”来制衡法国。
第二帝国（匹斯麦50年）——
普鲁士和奥地利为争夺日耳曼民族控制权而短暂开战，普鲁士胜利，奥托冯脾斯麦首相领导进行了1866年的奥普战争和1870-1871年的普法战争，于1871年建立了普鲁士主导的德意志帝国。|| 而奥地利不同于德国的地方在于，它冒称是神圣罗马帝国的传人，哈布斯堡家族以此号令整个帝国，以欧洲最重要的皇室自居，与皇族通婚，信封罗马天主教，也捍卫基督教。后成为奥匈帝国—一个多民族、拼凑出的帝国，疆域包括原神圣罗马帝国南部和东部，深入巴尔干地区。→ 1914年6月28日奥匈帝国皇帝弗朗茨约瑟夫一世的假定继承人弗朗茨斐迪南大公在萨拉热窝遇刺身亡，成为一战的导火索。约瑟夫决心一劳永逸地镇压斯拉夫民族主义，在德国怂恿下，于7月28日对塞尔维亚宣战。俄罗斯为塞尔维亚盟国，法国支持俄罗斯；德国支持奥匈帝国，而德国入侵比利时（依靠比利时先击败宿敌法国，再在欧洲建立霸权）使得英国也参战。→ 1918年11月奥地利战败；1917年俄罗斯罗曼诺夫家族退位、1918年家族成员被处决；1918年德国威廉二世退位、霍亨索伦王朝结束；1918年哈布斯堡家族结束了700年对奥匈帝国的统治。出现了8个新国家和苏联。
第三帝国（希特勒）——
1932年大选中执政。1935年《纽伦堡法案》剥夺犹太人公民权。1936年占领莱茵兰地区，同时西班牙内战和意大利侵略埃塞俄比亚，形成了罗马—柏林轴心，后来又加入了日本。1938年3月德国和奥地利合并。1938年9月英法在慕尼黑会议上的绥靖政策，让德国占领了捷克斯洛伐克。1939年8月24号纳粹与苏联签订条约，9月1日德苏入侵波兰，二战爆发。1940年4月德国闪电占领丹麦和挪威，之后是荷兰比利时，5月10日占领法国。5月10日张伯伦辞职，丘吉尔任首相，1940年夏不列颠之战打响。
《Friedrich hayek A biography》Alan Ebenstein
哈耶克提出了Spontaneous Order概念：个人可以按自己的意愿彼此交换、互动，没人集中管理决策，只要不伤害他人。在自发秩序的概念中，法制取代了人治，真正的自由就是法律至上。哈耶克是完全的反社会主义者，是自由主义和市场经济的捍卫者。
1899年哈耶克生于维也纳，维特根斯坦是他远房外甥。犹太复国主义政治运动创始人Theodor Herzl和希特勒都生于维也纳。维也纳曾为神圣罗马帝国首都，后为奥地利帝国首都，1867年成为奥匈帝国首都，是日耳曼语世界的文化中心，也是世界音乐之都。奥地利帝国贵族分两级，’冯（von）’是第二级中的第四等（最低一等），是最常见的贵族。
哈耶克区分了两类个人主义：正确的个人主语源于英格兰和苏格兰，强调个人理性无足轻重，是一种谦逊的信念；错误的个人主义根源在笛卡尔的唯理主义，强调个人理性的重要性，高估了单个天才人物的才能。社会主义的将全部决策归于一个人的理论根本上就是一种霸权主义。
哈耶克对民主的理解：社会主义不是正当的，即使它可能是民主地建立起来的。民主本质是中性的，从根本上说民主是维护国内稳定和和人自由的手段和重要工具，而不是目的。以为只要权利是通过民主授予的，就不会是专断的，这种想法是没有根据的。
贯穿于哈耶克普遍和平理想中的是哈耶克对法律的关注。最终出现的不是世界性政府，而是世界性法律。该理念背后的理想是，一切人在道德上都是平等的。
哈耶克晚年在很多场合都说过，他共有一个发现和两个发明：发现是指只是分工，两项发明是指关于代议政府的设想和提出的货币改革建议。他对货币改革的设想超越了他的时代。哈特可最初提出的货币改革建议，即允许各国货币形成一个竞争性市场（这是允许私人发行货币的第一步），曾被撒切尔政府用在欧洲货币改革讨论中：“以哈耶克提出的互相竞争的货币思想为基础，货币发行权保留在各国中央银行手中，但允许货币完全自由地兑换，没有任何法律限制。这样，正好跟格雷欣法则Greshaw’s Law相反，良币会逐渐驱逐劣币，最后从理论上说，欧洲会通过自由选择而形成单一货币。”
日耳曼历史：
第一帝国（1000年）——
查理曼大帝最初是法兰克王国的国王，后于公元800年创立神圣罗马帝国，成为开国皇帝。为他加冕的是天主教教皇利奥三世，利奥三世统治原古罗马帝国西部和日耳曼地区。在神圣罗马帝国鼎盛的10-11世纪，其疆域包括今天的德国、奥地利、瑞士、比利时、荷兰、法国东部、意大利北部和中部、捷克共和国、波兰西部的全部或大部分。→ 几个世纪后，皇帝不再有实权，日耳曼民族各个小国的公侯掌权。惨烈的30年战争后，1648年奥地利境内的天主教皇丧失了对德国境内信封新教的国王们的统治，神圣罗马帝国苟延残喘到拿破仑时代，奥地利的弗朗西斯二世与1806年逊位。→ 17世纪90年代到1815年是拿破仑入侵战争，众多日耳曼小国反而统一抗敌，奥地利的统治家族哈布斯堡王朝一直最坚定。根据1815年维也纳会议，在俄罗斯和英国之间建立了普鲁士和奥地利帝国，作为“防波堤”来制衡法国。
第二帝国（匹斯麦50年）——
普鲁士和奥地利为争夺日耳曼民族控制权而短暂开战，普鲁士胜利，奥托冯脾斯麦首相领导进行了1866年的奥普战争和1870-1871年的普法战争，于1871年建立了普鲁士主导的德意志帝国。|| 而奥地利不同于德国的地方在于，它冒称是神圣罗马帝国的传人，哈布斯堡家族以此号令整个帝国，以欧洲最重要的皇室自居，与皇族通婚，信封罗马天主教，也捍卫基督教。后成为奥匈帝国—一个多民族、拼凑出的帝国，疆域包括原神圣罗马帝国南部和东部，深入巴尔干地区。→ 1914年6月28日奥匈帝国皇帝弗朗茨约瑟夫一世的假定继承人弗朗茨斐迪南大公在萨拉热窝遇刺身亡，成为一战的导火索。约瑟夫决心一劳永逸地镇压斯拉夫民族主义，在德国怂恿下，于7月28日对塞尔维亚宣战。俄罗斯为塞尔维亚盟国，法国支持俄罗斯；德国支持奥匈帝国，而德国入侵比利时（依靠比利时先击败宿敌法国，再在欧洲建立霸权）使得英国也参战。→ 1918年11月奥地利战败；1917年俄罗斯罗曼诺夫家族退位、1918年家族成员被处决；1918年德国威廉二世退位、霍亨索伦王朝结束；1918年哈布斯堡家族结束了700年对奥匈帝国的统治。出现了8个新国家和苏联。
第三帝国（希特勒）——
1932年大选中执政。1935年《纽伦堡法案》剥夺犹太人公民权。1936年占领莱茵兰地区，同时西班牙内战和意大利侵略埃塞俄比亚，形成了罗马—柏林轴心，后来又加入了日本。1938年3月德国和奥地利合并。1938年9月英法在慕尼黑会议上的绥靖政策，让德国占领了捷克斯洛伐克。1939年8月24号纳粹与苏联签订条约，9月1日德苏入侵波兰，二战爆发。1940年4月德国闪电占领丹麦和挪威，之后是荷兰比利时，5月10日占领法国。5月10日张伯伦辞职，丘吉尔任首相，1940年夏不列颠之战打响。
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 20, 2023
Great book to read and learn. Hayek’s free economy idea has survived and lead to economic growth.
Not easy book to read as the content is quite academic, but Hayek’s long fulfilled life has taken us to a long history of 20 century, it is quite interesting to read and his theory survived. Free Market wins.
Not easy book to read as the content is quite academic, but Hayek’s long fulfilled life has taken us to a long history of 20 century, it is quite interesting to read and his theory survived. Free Market wins.
September 9, 2025
A lot of this biography deals with other people. Their connections or reactions to Hayek. Boooring. Or at least, it is boring for me, so I just skimmed over the later sections.
July 24, 2021
Short, basic overview of Hayek’s life and thought, with historical context and some interesting anecdotes. It’s worth reading if you’re interested in the subject, but if you’re really interested it won’t be enough. Not much insight into any other parts of Hayek’s life beside well-known facts about his academic career, and in many ways it’s more about the times and environments in which he worked.
Sure, maybe Hayek didn’t have an especially exciting life – as the book says he spent a lot of time sitting in his study room – but the events in which he participated, his travels and personal relationships could be researched, expanded and explained by a more thorough biographer, and they could give interesting insights into the connections between his lived experiences and intellectual development. I’ve read several very short biographical sketches in other books, and some interviews in which Hayek discussed biographical and personal details, and there is very little information that I learned from this book that I didn’t already found elsewhere.
This book seems like an arrangement of general historical facts, short mentions of significant economists, and Hayek’s opinions (which are often just quoted verbatim in lengthy paragraphs). It lacks a fluent, interesting biographical narrative. Some of the author’s reflections on Hayek’s philosophical ideas and ideological positions could actually use a bit more sources and quotes because occasionally they aren’t that clear and convincing. Also, despite being largely an intellectual biography, some of the important authors that influenced Hayek are barely mentioned. Overall, it’s a readable, informative book, but not a great, exhaustive biography.
Sure, maybe Hayek didn’t have an especially exciting life – as the book says he spent a lot of time sitting in his study room – but the events in which he participated, his travels and personal relationships could be researched, expanded and explained by a more thorough biographer, and they could give interesting insights into the connections between his lived experiences and intellectual development. I’ve read several very short biographical sketches in other books, and some interviews in which Hayek discussed biographical and personal details, and there is very little information that I learned from this book that I didn’t already found elsewhere.
This book seems like an arrangement of general historical facts, short mentions of significant economists, and Hayek’s opinions (which are often just quoted verbatim in lengthy paragraphs). It lacks a fluent, interesting biographical narrative. Some of the author’s reflections on Hayek’s philosophical ideas and ideological positions could actually use a bit more sources and quotes because occasionally they aren’t that clear and convincing. Also, despite being largely an intellectual biography, some of the important authors that influenced Hayek are barely mentioned. Overall, it’s a readable, informative book, but not a great, exhaustive biography.
February 24, 2009
As a free market economist, Hayek takes the humble and realistic view that information can not be gathered into the minds of one man, or a group of men. It is dispersed, and it is only the free market that can efficiently gather this wisdom/information in order to make the wisest decisions. My favorite quote is: "...reason is undoubtably man's most precious possession... but it is not all-powerful, and the belief that it can become its own master may yet destroy it."
June 7, 2017
A greatest book to understand Hayek.
September 17, 2008
Only read half. Good but too specific ( You're better off just reading Hayek )
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews