re: J. Robinson quote

[mcclintockbrent%faculty%Carthage@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

I can provide the "exact" quote as given by Ben Seligman as an epigraph to
his Main Currents in Modern Economics book but not the primary source which
he neglects to cite. I think it's from Robinson's essay/speech on what
undergrads should know about economics.

Joan Robinson:

"The purpose of studying economics is not to acquire a set of ready made
answers to economic questions, but to learn how to avoid being deceived by
economists."

I always quote this at the beginning of my principles courses as well as
alluding to the debate about Robinson not receiving the Nobel (another can of
worms?) and we take it from there...

Seligman also credits Robinson with noting that orthodox economics has
evolved elegant analytical structures that can estimate the value of a cup of
tea with great accuracy. Notes Seligman, "This, however, was a little
question, not a big one."

BTW, isn't the line about consistency: "consistency is the hobgoblin of
little minds" -- no offense intended to anyone. I remember this phrase
because a former boss, complete with whithering gaze, directed the comment at
one of my colleagues -- and I just felt so relieved he wasn't looking at me
:).

Cheers,
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