Isaac Newton is certainly one of the most important scientists in human history—mathematician, physicist, astronomer, philosopher, and theologian. In the second half of his life, he discovered the world of economic sciences, focusing on monetary economics. His story is not very different from the one of Copernicus. Newton put himself at the service of his country, studying coinage, to successfully solve the economic crisis which was afflicting it. Moreover, the way in which his scientific research influenced later philosophy is also a traceable aspect of many economists of the classical tradition.The Royal Mint’s Master’s DegreeIn 1699, Isaac Newton, who had become famous throughout Great Britain for his scientific studies, was appointed Master of the Royal Mint. This role had always been

In a previous article, I had the pleasure of exposing how several canon law jurists from the University of Bologna, in Italy, influenced the works of later theologians and economic scholars from the School of Salamanca, whose theologians—for many Austrian economic scholars—are the fathers of modern economic thought.In the prior article, I spoke of the intellectual terrain built by the Bolognese of the fourteenth century that allowed the discoveries of the Salamantines. This article, on the other hand, analyzes the works of the Bolognese canons who lived between the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, at the beginning of the grandiose Bolognese academic experience.It is interesting and important to note that Murray Rothbard dedicated a section of his great work Economic Thought Before Adam

What is the Mises Institute?

The Mises Institute is a non-profit organization that exists to promote teaching and research in the Austrian School of economics, individual freedom, honest history, and international peace, in the tradition of Ludwig von Mises and Murray N. Rothbard. Non-political, non-partisan, and non-PC, we advocate a radical shift in the intellectual climate, away from statism and toward a private property order. We believe that our foundational ideas are of permanent value, and oppose all efforts at compromise, sellout, and amalgamation of these ideas with fashionable political, cultural, and social doctrines inimical to their spirit.

Ludwig von Mises had several experiences throughout his life, counted among them when he was drafted and served as an Austro-Hungarian officer in the First World War. Initially, he served as an artillery officer on the Eastern Front, then, for a short time, he was called to Vienna to work in Department 13 (relating to military economy) of the Ministry of War of the Empire of Austria and Hungary.In Notes and Recollections, in the chapter devoted to the 1914-1918 conflict, Mises mentions a course organized by the Army Supreme Command in the summer of 1918 where officers were invited to give a lecture to their subordinates. He participated with this short writing entitled Über Kriegskostendeckung und Kriegsanleihen (which can be translated as War costs and war loans) where he addresses the

Nicolaus Copernicus was one of the greatest scientists in history. With his theories on astronomy, he revolutionized the sciences and is meritoriously and universally recognized as a genius. He was indeed a genius, not only in astronomy, in fact, his knowledge and studies ranged in all fields of knowledge—medicine, canon law, theology (he was also ordained Catholic theologian), natural sciences, mathematics, and—last but most important for this article—economics.Unfortunately, most people are unaware that the genius Copernicus also successfully tried his hand at economic science. He absolutely deserves to have his studies in economics highlighted so that more people can appreciate his contributions.Copernicus had, throughout his life, the great fortune of being able to travel and study in

“[L]iberty…is an act of faith in God and in His works.”This is how Frédéric Bastiat—a French economist known for his pioneering libertarian economic thought—concludes The Law, his most famous work. Reading his various writings and pamphlets, we can very often notice a recurring mention of God, or at least of a Creator, and of the morality that today we call “Judeo-Christian”; however, this faith found in his works can be found just as often in his life. This article aims to expose the role of the Catholic faith in the intellectual and personal aspect of Frédéric Bastiat.Bastiat’s ThoughtAs already introduced, The Law is a very important work by Bastiat, and here we find the profound definition of freedom mentioned above but, we also find other statements with a religious background.

What is the Mises Institute?

The Mises Institute is a non-profit organization that exists to promote teaching and research in the Austrian School of economics, individual freedom, honest history, and international peace, in the tradition of Ludwig von Mises and Murray N. Rothbard. Non-political, non-partisan, and non-PC, we advocate a radical shift in the intellectual climate, away from statism and toward a private property order. We believe that our foundational ideas are of permanent value, and oppose all efforts at compromise, sellout, and amalgamation of these ideas with fashionable political, cultural, and social doctrines inimical to their spirit.

What is the Mises Institute?

The Mises Institute is a non-profit organization that exists to promote teaching and research in the Austrian School of economics, individual freedom, honest history, and international peace, in the tradition of Ludwig von Mises and Murray N. Rothbard. Non-political, non-partisan, and non-PC, we advocate a radical shift in the intellectual climate, away from statism and toward a private property order. We believe that our foundational ideas are of permanent value, and oppose all efforts at compromise, sellout, and amalgamation of these ideas with fashionable political, cultural, and social doctrines inimical to their spirit.

Bologna, a city in northern Italy, is considered by many scholars to be the oldest university city in the Western world. Its university—the Alma Mater Studiorum—dates back to the year 1088. From the very beginning, the University of Bologna specialized in the analysis of law, especially in the study of canon law (the set of laws and decrees concerning the clergy and religious matters). Bologna became the home of famous jurists who studied and analyzed the laws issued in Rome by the Pope.Later, during the Spanish Golden Age, the Catholic university city of Salamanca specialized in the study of economic sciences by developing innovative theories that are considered by many, such as Marjorie-Grice Hutchinson, as the first historical examples of liberal-libertarian economic theory. The purpose

Bologna, a city in northern Italy, is considered by many scholars to be the oldest university city in the Western world. Its university—the Alma Mater Studiorum—dates back to the year 1088. From the very beginning, the University of Bologna specialized in the analysis of law, especially in the study of canon law (the set of laws and decrees concerning the clergy and religious matters). Bologna became the home of famous jurists who studied and analyzed the laws issued in Rome by the Pope.Later, during the Spanish Golden Age, the Catholic university city of Salamanca specialized in the study of economic sciences by developing innovative theories that are considered by many, such as Marjorie-Grice Hutchinson, as the first historical examples of liberal-libertarian economic theory. The purpose