in the theory of value and prices. 119 



making special assumptions not with the purpose of facilitating 

 economic investigation but for permitting algebraic transformation. 

 A writer who intentionally parades his mathematics really does the 

 cause of mathematical economics much harm. I venture to think 

 that Launhardt's Volkswirtschaftslehre which contains some excel- 

 lent things would have exhibited these excellencies better if the 

 author had contented himself with solving problems in all their 

 generality]. 



§9. 



I cannot refrain from venturing an opinion the application of 

 which may not apply to all of those writers just quoted but which 

 certainly applies to many : Mathematics is looked upon as an 

 intruder by those students of economics who have not had the 

 mathematical education to understand and make use of them, and 

 who are unwilling to believe that others enjoy a point of view 

 unattainable by themselves. A friend of mine much interested in 

 economics asked me what was the serAdce of mathematics in the 

 subject. On hearing my reply he said : " Well, I don't like to 

 admit that I can't understand economics as well as those who have 

 studied higher mathematics." 



Thus part at least of the opposition to mathematical method is a 

 mere incident to its novelty. It must be remembered that the 

 character of economists is itself a variable and from generation to 

 generation those choose or reject the pursuit of economics according 

 to what it is at the time of choice. It may not be rash to ex])ect 

 that the next generation of the theoretical (as distinct from histori- 

 cal) economists will have fitted themselves by mathematical training 

 for this mode of treating their theme, and that they will be such 

 men as by natural aptitude can so fit themselves. 



§ 10- 



The effort of the economist is to see, to picture the interplay of 

 economic elements. The more clearly cut these elements appear in 

 his vision, the better; the more elements he can grasp and hold in 

 mind at once, the better. The economic world is a misty region. 

 The first explorers used unaided vision. Mathematics is the lantern 

 by which what before was dimly visible now looms up in hrm, bohl 

 outlines. The old phantasmagoria disappear. We see better. We 

 also see further. 



