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Article
Thinking about Economics as Religion
Case Western Reserve Law Review
  • Andrew P. Morriss, Texas A&M University School of Law
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-2006
ISSN
0008-7262
Abstract

Four years ago, the Case Western Reserve Law Review conducted a paper-only symposium on Bjom Lomborg's The Skeptical Environmentalist. That symposium was so successful that the editors decided to repeat the experience. Seeking a book that could approximate Lomborg's in its ability to inspire controversy, I suggested Robert H. Nelson's Economics as Religion: From Samuelson to Chicago and Beyond after Professor Nelson gave a well-received lecture here on environmentalism as a religion. The editors agreed. As before, the Review has assembled an impressive group to comment on Nelson's book. The group includes economists who take a wide range of views on appropriate methods and on economics' role in society and in the study of law, ranging from some of the leading law and economics scholars writing today, Professors Eagle, McChesney, and Ulen, to important figures in more heterodox approaches to economics such as Professor Boettke and his collaborators, who are influential Austrian economists, and Professor Hill, who is a key contributor to the development of "free market environmentalism." Professor Tarlock, an important environmental law scholar, adds a parallel consideration of environmentalism as religion to the mix. Importantly, the contributors also include some who approach the theological analysis with some confidence. Professor Hill is an important participant in current attempts to reconcile economics and faith and Fr. Nalls brings a unique combination of perspectives of having been both a practitioner of economics as an international trade lawyer and a practitioner of theology in his current job as an Anglican priest.

Publisher
Case Western Reserve University School of Law
Disciplines
Citation Information
Andrew P. Morriss. "Thinking about Economics as Religion" Case Western Reserve Law Review Vol. 56 (2006) p. 547
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/andrew_p_morriss/162/