Some problems of evolutionary epistemology: Hayek’s view on evolution of market

pages: 333-347

Abstract

This paper aims to present Hayek’s view of cultural evolution as an important contribution to contemporary evolutionary epistemology. However, despite the importance of Hayek’s theory of cultural evolution, the tension between his concept of rational liberalism and evolutionary epistemology will be pointe out. This tension limits Hayek’s understanding of cultural evolution. Hayek’s conception of rational liberalism emphasizes the values of individual freedom and benefits of the market system. The term evolutionary epistemology includes the economic phenomena that occur without the participation of consciousness, on the one hand, and activities with the element of purposefulness and intelligibility, on the other. [Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. 179066: Unapređenje konkurentnosti javnog i privatnog sektora umrežavanjem kompetencija u procesu evropskih integracija Srbije] Keywords: market system, knowledge, abstract rules, “blindness” of evolutionary exploration, institutional design, planning