Israel Kirzner and the Invisible Hand

10 Feb 2013

Von Pepe sent me this nice video of Israel Kirzner accepting an award (posted at Coordination Problem):

As Kirzner explains, even though he of course understands the scientific study of ?spontaneous order,? nonetheless he sees the hand of God behind events.

This is yet another example of how atheists and theists can look at the same phenomenon, and walk away with opposite conclusions. Kirzner, Gene Callahan, Tom Woods, and I all have different views of God, but we all believe He exists and are awestruck at His genius in designing a social order where the natural depravity of man can be turned unwittingly into showering goodness on others. This obviously fits right in not just with Christianity, but also with Judaism; see for example Joseph?s reassurance to his brothers.

Yet I know atheists draw the opposite conclusion. Indeed, I?ve had them openly ask me things like, ?Bob, you can see in your study of economics that there can be order without a designer. So why can?t you just accept that the universe has no grand purpose? It just happened.?

Source: http://consultingbyrpm.com/blog/2013/02/israel-kirzner-and-the-invisible-hand.html

elite eight stephon marbury the lion king suzanne collins cherry blossom festival nc state erika van pelt