Spencer Heath Archive

Item 1979

Pencil notes for a letter to Dr. P., from a notebook containing dates between December and July 1933-1934

Original is in item 1978.

     I wish to thank you for the bit of time and attention you gave me today in my effort to learn something of your outlook and principle of action as an economist and as an integrator of economic thought and activity through the Academy of Political and Social Science.

     I must say at the outset, however, that you leave me very much at sea as to the raison d’etre of an economist in full practice.

     You spoke of the doctors of medicine — what an easy time they have because their patients tell them just exactly what they want done for them — but that the doctors of social science are hard put because the public doesn’t tell them just what it wants, what problems to be solved, what goals to be sought.

     My suggestion is that the dilemma be met by a study of the normal functioning of society without regard to its pathology.