Epstein University is a complete education in classical liberal theory by its greatest expositor, Richard Epstein. Its format is a series of audio recordings culled from videos and podcasts freely available online. They focus on the key concepts that are essential to understanding the Epsteinian approach to the social sciences.
Fans of Milton Friedman, Hayek, and the like will find that Epstein fine-tunes familiar ideas to perfection. If this is your first exposure to classical liberal ideas, expect to be challenged by the most rigorous version of arguments that are far from the mainstream.
This project is organized by Epstein fans who found each other through the Richard Epstein fan site. We are not associated with Mr. Epstein, and he would probably be embarrassed to learn that he has a fan site. Our mission is to promote Epstein's work as an authority, a kind of OED for high-end "right wing" political theory that works out the most difficult questions with unmatched precision.
Epstein speaks quickly, so pay close attention and rewind frequently. We encourage you to share your thoughts and questions by commenting on the posts, but no trolling, please. These sections are only an introduction to Richard Epstein and are by no means comprehensive. We hope that they will inspire you to explore the inexhaustible genius of the world's greatest thinker.
Saturday, January 18, 2014
Epstein 1: Libertarianism
Source: www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYYIRJpXqGA
Epstein sometimes refers to himself as a libertarian, sometimes as a classical liberal, and at least once as a "consequentialist Paretian." What do these terms mean? In this interview, Epstein outlines the basic framework of libertarianism and gives some idea where he fits in.
Epstein sometimes refers to himself as a libertarian, sometimes as a classical liberal, and at least once as a "consequentialist Paretian." What do these terms mean? In this interview, Epstein outlines the basic framework of libertarianism and gives some idea where he fits in.
Friday, January 17, 2014
Epstein 3: Human Nature
Source: econtalk.org/archives/2008/11/richard_epstein.html
In perhaps the greatest interview on the internet's greatest podcast, Epstein discusses pretty much everything.
In perhaps the greatest interview on the internet's greatest podcast, Epstein discusses pretty much everything.
Epstein 4: Free Enterprise
Source: vimeo.com/60499378
Is capitalism properly understood as a world of dog eat dog competition, or as a world of cooperation and shared gain? Epstein argues the latter.
Is capitalism properly understood as a world of dog eat dog competition, or as a world of cooperation and shared gain? Epstein argues the latter.
Epstein 5: Simple Rules for a Complex World
Source: www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUr-MbPUl5M
Epstein argues the simple yet powerful idea that the more complex a system is, the more it is important to have simple rules that facilitate rapid transactions.
Epstein argues the simple yet powerful idea that the more complex a system is, the more it is important to have simple rules that facilitate rapid transactions.
Epstein 7: Markets In Everything?
Source: www.youtube.com/watch?v=kB0R7wuKjxs
In this great talk Epstein discusses how social bonds and norms mitigate many of the problems associated with markets.
In this great talk Epstein discusses how social bonds and norms mitigate many of the problems associated with markets.
Epstein 8: Takings
Source: www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8PXEnWWRE0
This debate between Richard Epstein and Walter Block illustrates where Epstein differs from more hard-line libertarians on the role of government in society. It is also a good exposition of his theory on the Takings Clause.
This debate between Richard Epstein and Walter Block illustrates where Epstein differs from more hard-line libertarians on the role of government in society. It is also a good exposition of his theory on the Takings Clause.
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