Lessons from the Laureates

William Breit () and Barry Hirsch ()
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William Breit: Trinity University

No 3956, IZA Discussion Papers from Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)

Abstract: This paper uses as source material twenty-three autobiographical essays by Nobel economists presented since 1984 at Trinity University (San Antonio, Texas) and published in Lives of the Laureates (MIT Press). A goal of the lecture series is to enhance understanding of the link between biography and the development of modern economic thought. We explore this link and identify common themes in the essays, relying heavily on the words of the laureates. Common themes include the importance of real-world events coupled with a desire for rigor and relevance, the critical influence of teachers, the necessity of scholarly interaction, and the role of luck or happenstance. Most of the laureates view their research program not as one planned in advance but one that evolved via the marketplace for ideas.

Keywords: Nobel economists; autobiography; economic thought (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A1 B2 B3 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 23 pages
Date: 2009-01
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-his and nep-hpe
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Published - published in: William Breit and Barry T. Hirsch (eds.), Lives of the Laureates: Twenty-three Nobel Economists, 5th ed., Cambridge: MIT Press, 2009

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Working Paper: Lessons from the Laureates (2009)
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