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What is Alertness?

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  • Koppl Roger

    (Fairleigh Dickinson University)

Abstract

Israel Kirzner's concept of "alertness" is recast in the language of phenomenological psychology. Our ideas about things are either openended ideas posing no particular problem of choice, "open possibilities", or alternatives to choose between, "problematic possibilities". Choice is the process of formulating problematic possibilities; it is the process of reinterpreting one's situation. The fully formed reinterpretation generates the chosen outcome as a necessary consequence of preferences and perceived constraints. Reinterpretation precedes choice, both logically and temporally. This understanding of alertness helps to clarify Austrian ideas such as the idea that preferences do not exist apart from action.Le concept de "vigilance" d'Israel Kirzner est reformulé dans le langage de la psychologie phéno- ménologique. Nos idées à propos des choses sont souvent des idées à finalité ouverte ne soulevant pas de problème particulier de choix, "des possibilités ouvertes", ou des alternatives de choix entre des "possibilités problématiques". Le choix est un processus de formulation de possibilités problématiques ; c'est le processus consistant à réinterpréter nos propres situations. Dans sa formulation ultime, la réinterprétation génère le résultat choisi comme conséquence nécessaire des préférences et des contraintes perçues. La réinterprétation précède le choix, et logiquement et temporellement. Cette compréhension de la vigilance aide à clarifier les idées Autrichiennes telle que l'idée selon laquelle les préférences n'existent pas indépendamment de l'action.

Suggested Citation

  • Koppl Roger, 2002. "What is Alertness?," Journal des Economistes et des Etudes Humaines, De Gruyter, vol. 12(1), pages 1-13, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:bpj:jeehcn:v:12:y:2002:i:1:n:2
    DOI: 10.2202/1145-6396.1044
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    4. Augier, Mie, 1999. "Some Notes on Alfred Schutz and the Austrian School of Economics: Review of Alfred Schutz's Collected Papers, Vol. IV. Edited by H. Wagner, G. Psathas and F. Kersten (1996)," The Review of Austrian Economics, Springer;Society for the Development of Austrian Economics, vol. 11(1-2), pages 145-162.
    5. von Mises, Ludwig, 1957. "Theory and History," History of Economic Thought Books, McMaster University Archive for the History of Economic Thought, edition 1, number mises1957.
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    Keywords

    Alertness; Choice;

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