Philip Mirowski

Philip Mirowski is an American historian of economic thought and economic historian who has made significant contributions to understanding the development of neoliberal economics and the commercialization of science. As a professor at the University of Notre Dame, his work spans the intersection of economics, philosophy of science, and intellectual history. His most influential books include "More Heat Than Light" (1989), which examined physics' influence on economic theory, and "Machine Dreams" (2002), exploring the impact of cybernetics and computer science on economic thought. "Never Let a Serious Crisis Go to Waste" (2013) provided a critical analysis of the 2008 financial crisis and its aftermath, becoming one of his most widely-discussed works. Mirowski's research has focused on critiquing the foundations of neoclassical economics and analyzing how market principles have influenced scientific research. His work "Science-Mart" (2011) examined the transformation of scientific research under commercial pressures and market-based funding models. The scholar is known for his detailed historical analysis and willingness to challenge mainstream economic thought. His contributions have earned him recognition including the Ludwig Fleck Prize and his work continues to influence debates about economics, science policy, and the nature of markets.

Readers praise Mirowski's detailed historical research and his ability to expose connections between economic theory, science, and politics. Many reviews highlight his thoroughness in documenting how neoliberal ideas spread through academia and policy circles. What readers liked: - Deep analysis of primary sources and archival materials - Clear explanations of complex economic concepts - Sharp critique of mainstream economics - Historical context for current economic debates What readers disliked: - Dense, academic writing style that can be difficult to follow - Repetitive arguments across multiple books - Strong political viewpoints that some find too partisan - Length and detail level overwhelming for general readers From Goodreads: "Never Let a Serious Crisis Go to Waste" - 4.1/5 (214 ratings) "More Heat Than Light" - 4.2/5 (89 ratings) "Science-Mart" - 4.0/5 (67 ratings) Amazon ratings average 4.0/5 across his books, with reviewers frequently noting the books require significant effort but reward careful reading. One reader noted: "Exhaustively researched but exhausting to read. Worth the effort if you want to understand how we got here."

More Heat Than Light: Economics as Social Physics, Physics as Nature's Economics (1989) Examines how neoclassical economics borrowed concepts from 19th-century physics, shaping its mathematical and theoretical foundations.

Machine Dreams: Economics Becomes a Cyborg Science (2002) Traces the influence of military funding, operations research, and computer science on economic theory during and after World War II.

The Effortless Economy of Science? (2004) Analyzes the economics of scientific research and knowledge production through essays on methodology and the commercialization of science.

ScienceMart: Privatizing American Science (2011) Documents the transformation of American scientific research under market-based reforms and corporate influence since the 1980s.

Never Let a Serious Crisis Go to Waste: How Neoliberalism Survived the Financial Meltdown (2013) Chronicles how neoliberal economic ideas maintained influence despite the 2008 financial crisis.

Science-Mart: Privatizing American Science (2011) Examines the impact of market-oriented reforms on scientific research in American universities and laboratories.

The Knowledge We Have Lost in Information: The History of Information in Modern Economics (2017) Investigates how economics transformed the concept of information throughout the 20th century.

Karl Polanyi writes about the historical development of market economies and their social impacts, with focus on how markets are embedded in society. His analysis of commodification and economic institutions aligns with Mirowski's critiques of neoliberalism and market fundamentalism.

David Graeber examines the anthropology of debt, value, and bureaucracy through a critical lens of economic systems. His work challenges mainstream economic assumptions and explores how economic concepts shape social relations.

Michel Callon analyzes markets as performative systems and studies how economic theories shape real-world markets. His work on the sociology of economic life connects to Mirowski's interest in how economic knowledge is constructed and applied.

Donald MacKenzie investigates the role of mathematical models in financial markets and how they influence economic behavior. His research on the performativity of economics parallels Mirowski's work on the relationship between physics and economics.

Steve Keen develops mathematical critiques of neoclassical economics and provides alternative models for understanding economic systems. His work shares Mirowski's focus on exposing methodological problems in mainstream economics.