by Strigl
[Title Page and Table of Contents]: Title page and table of contents for Richard Strigl's 1928 treatise on changes in economic data, outlining nine sections covering the applicability of economic theory to reality. [I. Zur Problemstellung (Introduction to the Problem)]: Strigl introduces the difficulty of applying economic theory to reality due to changes in 'data'—the concrete conditions of action. He uses a physics analogy to distinguish between system-internal refinements and system-external 'miracles' (like human intervention in a physical path), setting the stage for analyzing how economics handles such shifts. [II. Exogene und endogene Datenänderungen (Exogenous and Endogenous Data Changes)]: The author defines the critical distinction between exogenous changes (external shocks like natural disasters) and endogenous changes (shifts arising from within the economic process, such as capital accumulation through saving). He argues that endogenous changes are driven by the psychic disposition of actors regarding time preference and future provision. [III. Die Anpassung der Wirtschaft an geänderte Daten (Economic Adaptation to Changed Data)]: Strigl explains how economic theory treats data changes: exogenous changes create a 'break' that theory cannot bridge but can analyze post-facto, while endogenous changes keep the system in a state of constant unrest, making the 'static' model a purely methodological tool rather than an empirical description. [IV. Psychische Motivationen als Ausgang von Datenänderungen (Psychic Motivations as Origins of Data Changes)]: This section explores how economic shifts (like becoming wealthier) lead to changes in an individual's value scales and hierarchy of needs. Strigl classifies these psychologically-driven shifts as exogenous because they cannot be explained by economic laws alone, even when they are triggered by prior economic developments. [V. Das Ziel der Wirtschaft und die nicht-wirtschaftlichen Motive (Economic Goals and Non-Economic Motives)]: Strigl argues against the idea of a 'purely economic' goal isolated from other human desires. Instead, he posits that the hierarchy of needs (value scale) is a unified complex including religious, national, and aesthetic motives; therefore, economic theory is applicable to all human action as long as the value scale is taken as a given datum. [VI. Datenänderungen aus sozialen Einwirkungen (Data Changes from Social Influences)]: The author examines how social factors, fashion, and legal norms (state intervention) alter economic data. He emphasizes that the actual 'datum' is not the law itself, but the way individuals react to it (e.g., tax avoidance), classifying these as exogenous changes that can be triggered by previous economic or non-economic states. [VII. Durch die Wirtschaft veranlaßte exogene Datenänderungen (Economically Induced Exogenous Changes)]: Strigl identifies a specific category of data changes that are 'induced' by the economic situation but remain exogenous to economic theory. He argues that while these changes (like political reactions to poverty) are linked to the economy, they are mediated through human psychology and social will, requiring the economist to also be a psychologist. [VIII. Datenänderungen und ökonomische Theorie (Data Changes and Economic Theory)]: Strigl discusses the limits of theory in predicting the effects of large data changes, such as technical progress or tax shifts, because these changes often trigger further psychological reactions. He notes that technical inventions are exogenous data changes and that monetary policy is a particularly successful area of study because other data can often be assumed constant. [IX. Die Aufgaben der Datentheorie (Tasks of Data Theory)]: In the concluding section, Strigl summarizes the necessity of a systematic 'theory of data' to guide the application of economic theory to reality. He argues that while data changes themselves may not be fully subsumable under economic law, a sober classification prevents 'fantastic constructions' and clarifies the boundaries of economic science.
Title page and table of contents for Richard Strigl's 1928 treatise on changes in economic data, outlining nine sections covering the applicability of economic theory to reality.
Read full textStrigl introduces the difficulty of applying economic theory to reality due to changes in 'data'—the concrete conditions of action. He uses a physics analogy to distinguish between system-internal refinements and system-external 'miracles' (like human intervention in a physical path), setting the stage for analyzing how economics handles such shifts.
Read full textThe author defines the critical distinction between exogenous changes (external shocks like natural disasters) and endogenous changes (shifts arising from within the economic process, such as capital accumulation through saving). He argues that endogenous changes are driven by the psychic disposition of actors regarding time preference and future provision.
Read full textStrigl explains how economic theory treats data changes: exogenous changes create a 'break' that theory cannot bridge but can analyze post-facto, while endogenous changes keep the system in a state of constant unrest, making the 'static' model a purely methodological tool rather than an empirical description.
Read full textThis section explores how economic shifts (like becoming wealthier) lead to changes in an individual's value scales and hierarchy of needs. Strigl classifies these psychologically-driven shifts as exogenous because they cannot be explained by economic laws alone, even when they are triggered by prior economic developments.
Read full textStrigl argues against the idea of a 'purely economic' goal isolated from other human desires. Instead, he posits that the hierarchy of needs (value scale) is a unified complex including religious, national, and aesthetic motives; therefore, economic theory is applicable to all human action as long as the value scale is taken as a given datum.
Read full textThe author examines how social factors, fashion, and legal norms (state intervention) alter economic data. He emphasizes that the actual 'datum' is not the law itself, but the way individuals react to it (e.g., tax avoidance), classifying these as exogenous changes that can be triggered by previous economic or non-economic states.
Read full textStrigl identifies a specific category of data changes that are 'induced' by the economic situation but remain exogenous to economic theory. He argues that while these changes (like political reactions to poverty) are linked to the economy, they are mediated through human psychology and social will, requiring the economist to also be a psychologist.
Read full textStrigl discusses the limits of theory in predicting the effects of large data changes, such as technical progress or tax shifts, because these changes often trigger further psychological reactions. He notes that technical inventions are exogenous data changes and that monetary policy is a particularly successful area of study because other data can often be assumed constant.
Read full textIn the concluding section, Strigl summarizes the necessity of a systematic 'theory of data' to guide the application of economic theory to reality. He argues that while data changes themselves may not be fully subsumable under economic law, a sober classification prevents 'fantastic constructions' and clarifies the boundaries of economic science.
Read full text