“Scarcely anyone interests himself in social problems without being led to do so by the desire to see reforms enacted. In almost all cases, before anyone begins to study the science, he has already decided on definite reforms that he wants to put through. Only a few have the strength to accept the knowledge that these reforms are impracticable and to draw all the inferences from it. Most men endure the sacrifice of the intellect more easily than the sacrifice of their daydreams. They cannot bear that their utopias should run aground on the unalterable necessities of human existence. What they yearn for is another reality different from the one given in this world…They wish to be free of a universe of whose order they do not approve”. –Austrian economist Ludwig von Mises
A good quote and a true statement. I’m not sure why you chose to categorize it under “Liberalism” however. It strikes me as a comment on the nature of humans, not Liberals.
It is definitely a human nature phenomena, but being a conservative-libertarian, it reminds me more of liberals than conservatives….and putting it under a category is easier to search for when I am looking for the quote in the future.
OK. (shrugs shoulders)
It’s a good quote in any case.
It’s 95% of what you do in this reality, and the other 5% is what reality does to you.
The real trick is in how you coup with the 5%, and realize that, that’s how life really is.
Tom Jefferson had something to say about that 5%: “I’m a firm believer in luck, and I’ve found that the harder I work, the luckier I get.”
It’s the same with everything. I certainly feel the same about people and computer technology. Regardless, I think having people feeling passionate about politics or economics is a good thing even they all don’t have the time or energy to full become PhD’s in the field.
If we all became PhD’s in Econ, would the demand keep pace with the supply?
(ROFL!)