Slightly over eleven pages of bibliography for two courses offered in the Fall Quarter of 1940 by Frank Knight on Economics and Social Policy (we would probably say “Public Policy” now) and the Ethics of Social Reform are found in an economics department folder in the papers of the University of Chicago President, Robert Maynard Hutchins. There is no cover letter that explains why a copy of Knight’s Economics 304 classified bibliography should have been sent to President Hutchins.

I just wonder how Knight was able to distill this bibliography into lectures that fit into a single quarter and what was his subset of “required readings” for these courses.

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[Course descriptions]

Economic Theory and Social Policy.—A critical examination of the economic system based on property and competition; its strength and weakness as a mechanism for the reconciliation and promotion of individual and social interests, in comparison with possible alternative types of organization. Prerequisite: Economics 301 [Price and Distribution Theory (Viner)] and 302 [History of Economic Thought (Knight)] or consent of the instructor, Autumn, Tu., Th., 3:30:5:30, Knight.

Ethics and Social Reform (identical with Philosophy 424).—Study of the ethical, methodological, and economic problems involved in the formuation of social policy. Prerequisite: Graduate work in economics, or philosophy, or consent of the instructors. Autumn, W., 7:30-9:30 P.M., Knight, [Charner M.] Perry.

Source: The College and the Divisions for 1940-41. Announcements, The University of Chicago, Vol. XL, No. 10 (April 25, 1949), p. 335.

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C O P Y

Economics 304

Classified Bibliography

Fall Quarter, 1940

I. Methodology

Cohen, Morris R. “The Social Sciences and the Natural Sciences” in The Social Sciences and Their Interrelations , Edited by Ogburn and Goldenweiser, pp. 437-465.

Ibid. Article “Scientific Method,” in the Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences.

Copeland, Morris A. Psychology and the Natural-Science Point of View. Psychological Review 37-6 (Nov., 1930), pp. 461-487.

Ibid. Economic Theory and Natural Science Theory, AER XXI-1 (March, 1931), pp. 67-79.

Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences. Article on Economics. Sections on approaches, various authors.

Hutchinson, T. W. The Significance and Basic Postulates of Economic Theory. See also Knight, F. H.

Keynes, J. N. The Scope and Method of Political Economy.

Knight, F. H. “Economic Theory and Nationalism”, last essay in Ethics of Competition . Part IV of this essay “Social Sciences and Social Action” was reprinted slightly abridged in Int. Jl. of Ethics , XLVI (October, 1935), pp. 1-33.

Ibid . “Nature of Economic Science in Some Recent Discussion” (review article on Ralph William Souter, Prolegomena to Relativity Economics), q.v., AER, XXIV, pp. 225-38.

Ibid . “’What is Truth’ in Economics” (review article on Hutchison, T.W., JPE, XLVIII (Feb., 1940), pp. 1-32.

Ibid . “Professor Parsons on Economic Motivation”, Canadian Jl. of Ec. and P.S. 6-3, (August, 1940), pp. 460-465.

Lundberg, George A. “Is Sociology too Scientific?” 9 (September, 1933), pp. 298-322. Also other writings.

Mayer, Joseph. “The Techniques, Basic Concepts, and Preconceptions of Science and Their Relation to Social Study.” Philosophy of Science 2 (October, 1935), pp. 431-483. Also by the same author “Social Science Methodology,” (Review of Rice Case Book) Journal of Social Philosophy I-4 (August, 1936), pp. 360-81. “Broader Value Concepts in Economics,” Journal of Social Philosophy , V-3 (April, 1940), pp. 250-69.

Nogaro, Bertrand. Le Méthode de L’Économie Politique, (rev. FHK, Annals A.A ., Nov., 1939).

Parsons, T. “Some Reflections on the Nature and Significance of Economics”, QJE, XLVIII, (1938) pp. 511-45. (Rev. article on Robbins and Souter, q.v.)

Ibid . “The Motivation of Economic Activity”, Canadian J. of Ec. and P.S ., 6-2 (May, 1940), pp. 187-202. See also “Reply to Professor Knight, Can. J. of Ec. and P.S ., 6-3 (August, 1940), pp. 466-472.

Rice, Stuart A. (Ed.) Methods in Social Science, Case Book, 1931.

Robbins Lionel. An Essay on the Nature and Significance of Economic Science. (2nd ed., revised, 1935). (See also Knight rev., Int. Jl. of Ethics , XLIV, pp. 358-61.) (Rev. L. M. Fraser, Ec. J., 42, 1932, pp. 555-570—“How do we want Economists to Behave?”) See also Parsons, Souter.

Souter, Ralph W. Prolegomena to Relativity Economics, 1933. (Cf. Parsons, Knight).

Ibid . “The Nature and Significance of Economic Science” in Recent Discussion, QJE, 47, 1932-3, pp. 377-413.

R= on reserve. PC = private copies at desk.

II. The Modern Economic Order .

See practically any textbook in Principles of Economics.

Clark, J. B. Distribution of Wealth. Especially Chapter I, also Preface.

(R) Knight, F. H. Syllabus for Social Science II, U. of C. (Editions before 1936.) PC

Marshall, Alfred. Principles of Economics. Esp. Bk. I.

(R) Marshall, L. C. The Coordination of Specialists through the Market. (Part 3 of “Industrial Society”)

(R) Roberson, D. H. The Control of Industry.

(R) Slichter, S. H. Modern Economic Society.

Taussig, F.W. Principles of Economics, Vol. 2, Chapters 67 and 68.

(R) Taylor, F. M. Principles of Economics.

III. (and IV.) Criticisms of the Economic Order .

See textbooks on Principles of Economics, relevant chapters; books on socialism by advocates; also “Labor” literature; also later heading “Collectivism.”

(R) Carlyle, T. Past and Present.

(R) Cole, G. D. H. The Simple Case for Socialism. Chap. I.

Davenport, Economics of Enterprise, esp. Chapters 7, 9, 11, 26, and 28.

(R) Davis, Jerome. Capitalism and its Culture.

(R) Hobson, Work and Wealth. (Also other works.)

(R) Laidler, H. W. Socialism in Thought and Action. (Especially Chapters I and II, PC)

Morris, William. News from Nowhere. (And other works.)

(R) Ruskin, John. Crown of Wild Olive. (Also other works.)

(R) Veblen, T. Theory of the Leisure Class; Theory of Business Enterprise, also other works.

(R) Ward, H. F. Our Economic Morality and the Ethic of Jesus.

(R) Webb, S. and B. The Decay of Capitalist Civilization.

V. Note: For Topic V ( Ethics: Economic and Political Ideals ),

See reading List for Economics 405. next following.

Economics 405

R = reserve, Harper Ell. PC = private copies at Desk, H.Ell.

Acton, Lord. History of Freedom and other Essays.

(R) Albee, E. History of Utilitarianism.

Anderson, B. M., Jr. Social Value. (Summarized in Value of Money, Chapter I.)

Arnold, Matthew. Prose and Poetry. Ed. A.L.Bouton (Scribner’s)

Essays in Division II, Society; Sweetness and Light, etc. P.C.

Ayres, C. E. The Nature of the Relationship between Ethics and Economics.

Ibid . Moral Confusion in Economics, Int. Jl. of Ethics , Vol. XLV (Jan., 1935) pp. 170-199. Also Knight, F. H. “Intellectual Confusion on Morals and Economics,” Int. J. of Ethics , Vol. XLV (Jan., 1935), pp. 200-220. PC (Bound together).

Bagehot, Walter, Physics and Politics.

Bonar, James. Philosophy and Political Economy.

(R) Bosanquet, B. The Philosophical Theory of the State.

(R) Burns, C. Delisle. Political Ideals. PC

(R) Bye, R. T. and Blodgett, R. H. Getting and Earning. (Rev., FHK in Ethics “Economists on Economic Ethics” (Oct., 1937), pp. 98-108.

Carritt, Edgar F. Morals and Politics.

Clarke, Mary E. A Study in the Logic of Value.

(R) Dewey, John. Liberalism and Social Action.

Ibid . Theory of Valuation (Rev., FHK in Am. J. of Soc. )

(R) Dewey and Tufts. Ethics.

Doob, L. The Plans of Man.

Dunning, Wm. A. Political Theories. (Index: Nature, Natural, etc.)

Eliot, T. S. The Idea of a Christian Society.

Elzbacher, E. Anarchism.

(R) Federal Council of Churches. Our Economic Life in the Light of Christian Ideals.

(R) Fosdick, Dorothy. What is Liberty? (Rev., FHK, JPE XLVIII (August, 1940), 586-589.)

Gooch, G. P. Political Thought in England from Bacon to Halifax.

(R) Gore, Charles, Bishop. Property: Its Rights and Duties.

Green, T. H. Lectures on the Principles of Political Obligation (and other writings).

(R) Halévy, E. The Growth of Philosophic Radicalism.

(R) Ibid . Original French edition (La formation du radicalism philosophique), preferable, account omission of notes in translation.)

(R) Hasbach, Wilhelm. Die Allgemeinen philosophischen Grundlagen der…politischen Ökonomie.

Hayek, F. A. V. (Ed.) Collective Economic Planning.

Ibid . Economics and Knowledge, Economica (Feb., 1937).

Herskowitz, M . W. Anthropology and Economics.

(R) Hetherington, J. W. and Muirhead, J. H. Social Purpose.

(R) Hobhouse, L. T. Elements of Social Justice.

Ibid . Liberalism (Home Univ. Lib.)

Ibid . The Rational Good.

Ibid . The Metaphysical Theory of the State.

(R) Ibid . Morals in Evolution. (On reserve in Psychology Lib.)

(R) Hocking, W. E. The Lasting Elements of Individualism. (Rev., FHK, Int. Jl. of Ethics XLVIII (Oct., 1937) pp. 109-116.

Hook, Sidney. John Dewey.

Huxley, T. H. Evolution and Ethics, etc.

(R) Jodl, Friedrich. Geschichte der Ethik.

(R) Knight, F. H. Ethics of Competition. (Especially first two and last essays). Section 4 “Social Science and Social Action” of final essay “Economic Theory and Nationalism” (PC) reprinted in Int. Jl. of Ethics , 46 (October 1936), pp. 1-33.

(R) Ibid . Ethics and Economic Reform. Economica , 1939. I. The Ethics of Liberalism; II. Idealism and Marxism; III. Christianity, published in the issues for February, August, and November, respectively. PC

Levy, Herman. Economic Liberalism.

(R) Lippman, Walter. The Good Society. (Rev., FHK, JPE XLVI (Dec., 1938) pp. 864-872)

Lyon, L. S. Government in Economic Life.

MacIver, Robert M. Society: a textbook of Sociology.

Mackenzie, F. (Ed.) Planned Society.

Mackenzie, J.S. Outlines of Social Philosophy.

Malinowski, B. The Foundations of Faith and Morals.

Marriot, J. A .R. Economics and Ethics.

May, Mark and Doob, L. Competition and Cooperation.

Mayer, Joseph. “Social Science Methodology.” (Rev., of Rice Case Book) Journal of Social Philosophy I-4 (Augusts, 1936), pp. 360-81.

Ibid. Broader Value Concepts in Economics. Journal of Social Philosophy . V-3 (April, 1940), pp. 250-69.

Ibid . Techniques and Basic Concepts of Science and their Relation to Social Study, Philosophy of Science , Vol. 2-4 (Oct., 1935), pp. 431-83.

Mecklin, John M. Social Ethics.

Mezes, S. E. Ethics, Descriptive and Explanatory.

(R) Mill, J. S. Liberty, Utilitarianism, and Representative Government.

(R) Myrdal, Gunnar. Das politische element in der Nat. Ökon. Doktrinbildung.

(R) Osborne, H. Foundations of the Theory of Value.

Parsons, T. The Structure of Social Action.

(R) Ibid . The Place of Ultimate Values in Sociological Theory. Int. Jl. of Ethics , Vol. XLV (April, 1935), pp. 282-316. PC

Paulsen, Friedrich. A System of Ethics.

Perry, Charner M. “The Arbitrary as Basis for Rational Morality” Int. Jl. of Ethics , Vol. XLIII (Jan., 1933), pp. 127-144. Criticisms by various authors.

(R) Ibid . Knowledge as a Basis for Social Reform, Int. Jl. of Ethics , XLV (April, 1935), pp. 253-281. PC

Perry, R. B. The General Theory of Value. Discussion in Int. Jl. of Ethics , 40 (1930) 465-95. By various critics. Also other writings.

Pipkin, C. W. The Idea of Social Justice.

(R) Pound, R. Law and Morals.

Ibid . Introduction to the Philosophy of Law.

Ibid . The Limits of Legal Action. Int. J. Ethics . PC

Ibid . Articles in Encyclopedia of Social Sciences “Jursprudence”; “Common Law,” “Contract.”

Pribram, Karl. Die Entstehung der individualistischen Sozial-philosophie.

Radcliffe-Brown, A. R. The Functional Approach in Anthropology (?)

Rashdall, Hastings. Theory of Good and Evil.

Ibid . Ethics (Peoples’ books).

(R) Ritchie, D. G. Natural Rights

(R) Russell, Bertrand. Power. (Rev., FHK “Bertrand Russell on Power.” Ethics , XLIX (April, 1939), pp. 253-285 PC)

(R) Sabine, George H. History of Political Theory. (Especially Chapter XXXI on Liberalism, Chs. VIII, XXI on Natural Law; Index, Freedom, Natural Law, Utilitarianism.)

Schiller, F. C. X. Article “Value” in Hastings Encyclopedia of Religion and Ethics.

Schmoller, Gustav. The idea of Justice in Political Economy. Annals of the A.A., Vol. IV-5 (March 1894) pp. 1-41.

Seth, James. Ethical Principles.

Sidgwick, Henry. Methods of Ethics.

Ibid . Elements of Politics.

Spann, O. The History of Economics.

(R) Spencer, H. Man versus the State

(R) Ibid . Data of Ethics.

(R) Stamp, Josiah (Lord). Christianity and Economics. (Rev., FHK Ethics. Vol. L-2 pp. 226-27.

Ibid . Motive and Method in a Christian Social Order.

Stephen, Sir Leslie. The English Utilitarians. Three volumes.

Sutherland, Alexander. Origin and Growth of the Moral Instinct.

Taylor, A. E. The Problem of Conduct.

Thilly, Frank. Ethics.

Urban, W. M. Valuation.

Ibid. Article “Value Theory and Esthetics” in Schaub, Philosophy Today. (Also other articles.)

Wallas, Graham. The Great Society.

(R) Ward, Harry F. Our Economic Morality and the Ethic of Jesus. (For Econ. 304.)

Ward, Leo R. (C. S. C.) Philosophy of Value. (Valuable for Bibliography.)

Westermarck, Edward. Origin and Development of the Moral Ideas.

Wissler, Clark. Man and Culture.

Wootton, B. Plan or no Plan.

ECONOMICS 304

VI. CO-OPERATION

Encyclopedia of Social Sciences Article. Sections by various authors. Use for Bibliography.

Fay, C. R. Co-operation at Home and Abroad.

Warbasse, Peter. Various writings. (Leading American apostle of co-operation.)

Woolf, Leonard S. Co-operation and the Future of Industry.

VII. POLITICO-LEGAL ACTION; GENERAL THEORY

Encyclopedia of Social Sciences. Articles on “Political Science,” (by Hermann Heller) and on “Politics” (by Lindsay Rogers). See cross references and bibliographies.

Pound, Roscoe. Law and Morals.

Ibid. Introduction to the Philosophy of Law.

Ibid . Limits of Legal Action, Int. Jl. of Ethics . XXVII (Jan., 1917), pp. 150-167. PC

Clark, J. M. Social Control of Business. Part II.

VIII. GOVERNMENT REGULATION OF BUSINESS

Backman, Jules. Government Price-Fixing.

Ibid . Articles

Blaisdell, Thomas C. The Federal Trade Commission

Childs, Marquis W. Sweden: The Middle Way.

Clark, J. M. Social Control of Business. Especially Part III.

Ibid . Preface to Social Economics.

Hardy, C. O. (et al) Wartime Control of Prices.

Hawtrey, R. G. The Economic Problem.

Herring, E. Pendleton. Public Administration and the Public Interest.

Lippincott, Benjamin E. (ed.) Government Control of the Economic Order.

Lippmann, Walter. The Good Society.

Lyon, Abramson, and Watkins and Associates. Government in Economic Life.

Lyon, L. S. and Others. The National Recovery Administration.

National Industrial Conference Board. (Myron W. Watkins) Public Regulation of Competitive Practices.

Pigou, A. C. Economics of Welfare. Chaps. in Part III.

Robertson, D. H. Control of Industry.

Soltau, R. H. The Economic Functions of the State.

Salter, Sir Arthur. The Framework of an Ordered Society.

Davis, Joseph S. On Agricultural Policy, 1926-1938. (1939, pp. 494)

Black, John D. Agricultural Reform in the United States. (1929, pp. 511).

IX. TAXATION AND RELIEF

Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences Articles on “Public Finance” (by E. R. A. Seligman) and “Taxation” (by R. M. Haig). “Inheritance Taxation” (by Wm. J. Schultz). “Income Tax” (by E. R. A. Seligman). See Cross Reference and Bibliographies.

Ibid . Articles on “Charity” (by K. L. M. Pray); “Institutions, Public” (by S. P. Breckenridge), “Public Welfare” (by E. C. Lindeman). “Poor Laws” (by Ch. W. Pipkin). See Cross References, Bibliographies.

Bastable, C. F. Public Finance.

Brown, Harry G. Economics of Taxation.

Douglas, Paul H. Social Security in the United States. (1936, 384 pages)

Epstein, A. Insecurity, a Challenge to America.

Pigou, A. C. Economics of Welfare. Chaps. in Part IV.

Ibid . A Study in Public Finance.

Seligman, E. R. A. Essays in Taxation.

Simons, H. C. Personal Income Taxation.

Warner, A. G., Queen, S. A., and Harper, E. B. American Charities and Social Work.

Wedgewood, Josiah. The Economics of Inheritance.

Woodbury, R. M. Social Insurance and Economic Analysis.

Commerce Clearing House. Social Security Act as Amended 1939.

X. COLLECTIVISM: ECONOMIC PLANNING

Balogh, T. H. The National Economy of Germany. E. J. 48 (1938), pp. 461-497. PC

Cole, G. D. H. Principles of Economic Planning.

Ibid . The Simple Case for Socialism

Dickinson, H. D. The Economics of Socialism.

Ibid . Price Formation in a Socialist Community. Ec. J. 43 (1933) pp. 237-250. PC

Dobb, M. Political Economy and Capitalism: Some Essays in Economic Tradition. (1937, pp. 360). (Rev. A. P. Lerner, JPE, Aug., 1939. Reply and Rejoinder JPE, April, 1940).

Durbin, E. F. M. Economic Calculus in a Planned Economy, Ec. J. 48 (1938) pp. 676-690. PC

Florinsky, M. T. Fascism and National Socialism.

Hall, R. L. The Economic System in a Socialist State. (Rev. F. H. Knight in JPE April, 1938, pp. 241-50—with Pigou.)

Hayek, F. A. v. (Ed.) Collectivist Economic Planning.

Ibid . Freedom and the Economic System. (Pub. Policy Pamph. 29)

Knight, F. H. The Place of Marginal Economics in a Collectivist System. AER, Supp. 36 (March, 1936), pp. 255-266. PC

Ibid. Socialism: The Nature of the Problem. Ethics 50 (April, 1940), pp. 253-289.

Lange, Oskar and Taylor, Fred M. On the Economic Theory of Socialism. (Lange articles previously published Rev. Ec. Studies , Vol. IV.; Taylor, AER, 19 (March, 1929), pp. 1-8.

Loucks, W. N. and Hoot, J.W. (Eds.) Comparative Economic Systems.

Mackenzie, Findlay. Planned Society.

Martin, P. W. “Some Aspects of Economic Planning.” in Economic Essays in Honor of Mitchell, pp. 315-354.

Mises, L. von. Socialism.

Pigou, A. C. Socialism versus Capitalism. (Rev. F. H. Knight, JPE April, 1935.

Robbins, Lionel. Economic Planning and International Order.

Soule, George. A Planned Society.

Speier, Hans. Freedom and Social Planning, Am. Jl. Soc. (Jan., 1937)

Sutton, E. The Relation between Economic Theory and Economic Policy. PC

Sykes, E. R. Contemporary Economic Systems.

Welk, Wm. G. Fascist Economic Policy.

Westmeyer, R. E. Modern Economic and Social Systems.

Wootton, Barbara. Plan or no Plan. (F. H. Knight rev. “Barbara Wootton on Economic Planning,” JPE XLIII (Dec., 1935), pp. 809-14.

Source: University of Chicago Archives. Office of the President. Hutchins Administration Records. Box 72, Folder 9 “Economics Department, 1939-1943”.

Image Source: University of Chicago Photographic Archive, apf1-03515, Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library.