Hayek's Challenge: An Intellectual Biography of F.A. Hayek

by Bruce Caldwell

Friedrich A. Hayek is regarded as one of the preeminent economic theorists of the twentieth century, as much for his work outside of economics as for his work within it. During a career spanning several decades, he made contributions in fields as diverse as psychology, political philosophy, the history of ideas, and the methodology of the social sciences. Bruce Caldwell—editor of The Collected Works of F. A. Hayek —understands Hayek's thought like few others, and with this book he offers us the first full intellectual biography of this pivotal social theorist.

Caldwell begins by providing the necessary background for understanding Hayek's thought, tracing the emergence, in fin-de-siècle Vienna, of the Austrian school of economics—a distinctive analysis forged in the midst of contending schools of thought. In the second part of the book, Caldwell follows the path by which Hayek, beginning from the standard Austrian assumptions, gradually developed his unique perspective on not only economics but a broad range of social phenomena. In the third part, Caldwell offers both an assessment of Hayek's arguments and, in an epilogue, an insightful estimation of how Hayek's insights can help us to clarify and reexamine changes in the field of economics during the twentieth century.

As Hayek's ideas matured, he became increasingly critical of developments within mainstream his works grew increasingly contrarian and evolved in striking—and sometimes seemingly contradictory—ways. Caldwell is ideally suited to explain the complex evolution of Hayek's thought, and his analysis here is nothing short of brilliant, impressively situating Hayek in a broader intellectual context, unpacking the often difficult turns in his thinking, and showing how his economic ideas came to inform his ideas on the other social sciences.

Hayek's Challenge will be received as one of the most important works published on this thinker in recent decades.

Genres: Economics, Biography, History, Philosophy, Politics

501 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Fred · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book covered the history of social political thought of the last 200 year's and how it influenced Hayek's thinking.

I never understood how strong the proponents of socialism were in Europe and the U.S. Even now we have many people who believe economics can be used to predict and control.

The strength of Hayek is that he defends freedom in language that sociasts can understand. He takes the time to learn and address every nuances of the collectivist conversation, see his "The Constitution of Liberty."

I have never had the patience to bother refuting silly ideas. From Hayek, Adler, and Ayn Rand I finally get it. If all three of them are saying the same thing about persuasion, then I better sit up and pay attention!

[Mike Thicke · Rating 4 out of 5]

A deep, thoughtful, and accessible intellectual biography of Hayek. Caldwell does a great job of presenting the development of Hayek's thought in the context of the history of economics. There is do much context that it takes a while to get to Hayek, but it's worth it.

Hayek is a fascinating figure, and it is a shame that many don't get beyond Road to Serfdom, which, though not at odds with his overall philosophy, is much less interesting and challenging than his work in economic methodology, which comprises the bulk of his legacy.

[LUIS JOSE OROPEZA · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unique for understand Hayek

Best approach Hayek's thought. His most original and hard ideas are made here more accesible. Highly reccomended for all kind of economist and social science stkudents

[Peter Spung · Rating 4 out of 5]

I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/13132007

[Craig Bolton]

Hayek's Challenge: An Intellectual Biography of F.A. Hayek by Bruce Caldwell (2005)