What is Einstein's IQ?

Since some time in the 20th century, economists have become a very interesting profession. Some people predict that "the era of chivalry has passed and the era of economists is coming soon". The influential British "Economist" magazine said earlier: "Future economists will give the unknown inventor of limited liability system the same status as pioneers of industrial revolution such as Watt and Stephenson." But later, the magazine gave the economist a scarlet irony through a joke. The joke goes something like this: Einstein met three New Zealanders on the train. In order to kill time, they chatted. In order to have a targeted chat, Einstein wanted to know their IQ first. The first man replied that his IQ was 190, and Einstein was very happy that "we can discuss atomic physics and some of my theoretical viewpoints". The second man replied that his IQ was 150, and Einstein said, "We can discuss the nuclear non-proliferation treaty established by New Zealand in pursuit of world peace". The third man replied that his IQ was 50. Einstein hesitated a little, and then asked, "What do you expect the interest rate to be next month?" .

Why do economists have different views as a profession? Economics is much like architecture. A building has many design schemes. It is difficult to judge which design scheme is reasonable before the building is completed, and it is often too late to judge after it is completed, because "what is done is done". Someone made an analogy. If there are 50 mathematicians discussing a mathematical problem in a room, then these 50 mathematicians will often agree with a point of view. If there are 50 economists in a room discussing an economic policy issue, then these 50 economists often have 50 opinions. Before putting the policy plan into practice, 50 economists may be right. Everyone says that the danger of economists is "profound" and points out: "The only thing more dangerous than economists is amateur economists; The only thing more dangerous than amateur economists is professional economists. " In addition, economic problems are complex and systematic, and it is almost impossible for economists to grasp all aspects of an economic problem. It's like six blind people touching an elephant in an ancient Indian fable. Everyone touched only a part of the elephant and claimed to know it. As a result, these six people have six different views on "what does an elephant look like" and have argued about it all day.

Nevertheless, the economic challenges facing mankind are realistic and urgent, and economists are increasingly needed as experts in economic issues to provide correct solutions. Then, an important question is, what is a qualified economist?

Keynes was talking about his teacher Alfred? Marshall put forward the requirement for a qualified economic professional: "Economic research doesn't seem to need that kind of outstanding and unique talent. Rationally speaking, isn't economics a very simple subject compared with those abstruse contents in philosophy and pure science? However, excellent or even qualified economists are rare. A simple subject, but few people are proficient! This statement seems contradictory, but it seems to be explained from here: that is, a master's degree in economics must be a combination of various talents. He must reach a certain level in all aspects, and then integrate these talents that are difficult to blend together. To some extent, he must be a mathematician, a historian, a politician and a philosopher. He must be able to listen to symbols and resort to words. He must look back on the past and look forward to the future while studying the present. Nothing about human nature and customs is completely out of his sight. He must pursue his goals with passion and without prejudice. He must be as far away from the secular as an artist and as down-to-earth as a politician. "

Now let's look at the mathematician part that economists need. For the economic development of 2 1 century, this sentence of Keynes is out of date. Keynes did not expect that human beings would invent computers and bring about a technological revolution, and the computing speed of computers would soon exceed that of human brains. Economic models are becoming more and more complex. For example, there is no hope to find a closed solution to the international economic model of two countries, and it is very difficult to prove axioms. Mathematicians have no place as heroes, and only computer simulation can solve economic models. Future economics is economic engineering, and future economists must have the level of computer software engineers.

Let's look at the composition of the philosopher. Without philosophical elements, economists' theories lack the profundity and foresight of thought. A victory of philosophical foresight is that the German philosopher Kant put forward the theory of nebulae formed by the universe, many, many years earlier than the real nebulae. In the past few decades, economists began to pay more attention to mathematical skills than philosophical connotations. Facing the economic difficulties and challenges faced by mankind, it is very important to put forward a convincing and acceptable ideal and influence economic activities through it.

Then look at the composition of historians. Many people are convinced that the current economics is correct, thus ignoring history; The ideas of predecessors are either considered to be contained in the current economic knowledge or wrong. History will not end in the distant past; It continues to this day and permeates the development of economics. The significance of history lies not only in the fact that people who lack historical knowledge will repeat the same mistakes, but also in the profound insight it gives people.

Let's look at the composition of politicians. Economists must take care of their own reputation and remain academically detached, which is different from politicians. History shows that economists usually can't be politicians, and politicians are mostly lawyers, because economists can't find a delicate balance in various complicated social relations like lawyers. At that time, the quality of "down-to-earth like a politician" appreciated by Keynes can also be found in entrepreneurs, because entrepreneurs must be pragmatic, otherwise the products of enterprises will not keep up with the ever-changing market demand. Moreover, entrepreneurs have innovative ability, which is necessary for the development of economics.

Because the economic state of any country or region cannot be completely expressed by an economic model, and a good economic policy is not simply derived from a certain model, but based on comprehensive experience, knowledge and even inspiration to correctly judge the future.

However, it is not enough to have multiple talents. Economists also need lifelong learning. Samuelson once said: "The parrot who can talk about supply and demand is also an economist." This view is actually ridiculous. Marshall's first sentence in the book & gt is that "economic life is always changing, and economists in every era are facing the challenges of that era." Economic life is changing, economic laws are changing, and economic knowledge should also change with it. Therefore, knowledge is not power, but learning is power.

To sum up, a qualified economist in the future should be a computer software engineer, philosopher, historian, entrepreneur and artist, and a person who practices lifelong learning. Becoming a qualified economist is my life dream. "The road is long, Xiu Yuan, Xiu Yuan, and I will go up and down." . I am willing to encourage readers.