Action Axiom Fundamental
Humans act with purpose in mind.
Synopsis
People do not have the option of "not acting." The actions they take reveal their actual preferences. This axiom plays a vital role in understanding free markets,
Introduction to the Action Axiom
Ludwig von Mises usually gets credit for introducing the "action axiom" to economic thinking. He recognized that all economic activity begins with the action of an individual.
The action axiom represents the second economic fundamental I want to introduce. I cannot cover all the ramifications of this principle.
(I posted a similar article several months ago, but I wanted to revisit the topic to show how it fits into the structure of Economic Fundamentals.)
Mises developed this axiom using pure reason. He realized that to attempt to prove non-action, a person must act—which nullifies the attempt to prove non-action and verifies the validity of the axiom. The axiom requires no empirical testing. Its truth results from reasoning alone - *a priori*.
Humans always act purposefully. They act guided by their scale of preferences. Frequently, actors do not know their own preferences. Actions, however, not words, reveal the preferences of actors. For an actor to say they preferred the red dress when they bought the blue one denies the truth. Similarly, after "shopping" for a dress and returning with none consists of the action of choosing something else (not revealed) over any dress.
Also, consider the accusation that a person did nothing in a situation where some form of action seems appropriate. In fact, the person did take the action not to get involved. So, one might say that the term "innocent bystander" has no validity.
Conclusion
Give some deep consideration to the idea that you cannot not act. You have as much responsibility for what you don't do as for what you do. Also, keep in mind that the actions you and others take reveal what you truly value.
Reference
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