Abstract
It is virtually a theorem that economists start out intellectual life specialising in some other subject and switch about age 20. Sir John Hicks began in mathematics, John Williams in English, Max Millikan in physics, Robert Solow in sociology, etc. The one counter-example known to me is Paul Samuelson who wanted to be an economist for as long as he can remember, but he is sui generis. The reason, I believe, is that young people grow up in a fairly homogeneous environment, and become aware of the fascination of complex social interrelations only on reaching a certain maturity.
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References
Basington-Smith, C., AirSpy (New York, Harper & Row, 1957).
Zuckerman, S. (Lord), From Apes to Warlords (New York, Harper & Row, 1978)
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© 1989 Banca Nazionale del Lavoro
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Kindleberger, C.P. (1989). The Life of an Economist. In: Kregel, J.A. (eds) Recollections of Eminent Economists. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-09776-0_6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-09776-0_6
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