Lol, last few days we were discussing political economy, specifically the Great Depression, its causes, Keynesiasm, and the US Federal Reserve.Today, after wrapping up the lesson, he asked us to comment on it, and I proceeded to express my disagreement with those ideas, and the fact that we are completely unaware that society and the market order comes to be spontaneously. Also, how our central bank, in an attempt to solve an inflation, is actually making the problem worse. Needless to say, my stereotypical socialist professor went apesh*t on how the Great Depression was caused by laissez faire, and that its absurd to be against governmental "oversee" of our economy. It was extremely frustrating to know that I, a pothead that reads Austrian economics for a hobby could take this so called doctor down, but can't. It's just too much, and personally against my principles to even appear to challenge a professor to a debate...so I just shut up. Hope none of you have to go through this, you REALLY REALLY have to make an effort not to let Hayek, Mises and Rothbard come out of your mind, lol.
Nice, but I would've gone the extra mile, in retort, with the following quote:"Though liberals do a great deal of talking about hearing other points of view, it sometimes shocks them to learn that there are other points of view." ~ William F. Buckley.
Sometimes the old codgers need to be reminded that they aren't the be-all, end-all of knowledge.
If the truth is on your side, debate anyone.
Except the police, that's just asking for trouble.
This has happened to me before, but with one of my philosophy professors, pertaining to the labour theory of value and consequently the validity of Marxism. My economics professor was a Hayekian, and lightyears ahead of me. :/
I get into lots of debates in my government and history classes, though in both cases its mostly with other students. Fortuneatly, there are several other liberatarians in those clases, so I'm not alone. The teachers mostly just stand back and watch.
You can't take the sky from me.
If I'd known what I do now in highschool, I would certainly have had quite a row with my economics and history teachers. In college, I've been fortunate. My micro professor conceded that I know more than she does (she's a law student teaching econ as an ad-junct), my macro prof is Austrian-leaning (he teaches the textbook, but makes no attempt to cover up his disdain for Keynes), my political science classes have been firmly liberal, but our debates have always been very good-natured.
My sociology teacher is somewhat of a mystery to me. He teaches a very liberal text without comment, but seems to be a conservative personally. And while he never makes any comment on our inter-student discussions, he always seems to make sure I and the other libertarians in the class (2 of them, we sit together in the back) get the last word even when we discuss more radical stuff. I get the idea he's glad to have some students who politely and intellegently dissent, even if he doesn't share our convictions.
Pro Christo et Libertate integre!
I wouldn't show mercy nor compromise; but I would email him asking why he was so close minded in an enviroment that is "supposed" to foster learning & truth. Yea; I would sound right cocky, I would.
Throatpoker:Do you guys think I should continue this by email? I really don't want to call him out in front of the students, but maybe he'll discuss the issue with me through email, as it's less likely to make his ego hurt.
It might seem a bit cocky and presumptious if you do, but it sounds like you eventually will return to the topic, so just let him know that you haven't changed your mind when it comes up again.
"Keynesianomics is a Ponzi scheme"
"You are correct in that Capitalism does not help with poverty, but it is only because it eliminates poverty altogether.."
If you want to continue the discussion with your professor by e-mail I recommend not asking if he wants to continue the discussion by e-mail but instead thank him, tell him how you enjoyed the discussion in class, then tell him he is "thought provoking" and you appreciate that. (none of these are lies, right?).
This will serve the purpose of you being a gentleman by making him more comfortable after the argument. Plus it will do well for the anti-statist cause by encouraging an opponent to engage in dialoug..always a positive step.
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