Menger and the continental epistemology of uncertainty

The methodology of Carl Menger is often presented as contribu- ting to the birth of neo-classical economics and following British classical liberalism, misrepresenting his original approach. On the contrary, Menger pretended empiricism. His application of sub- jective evaluation and his theoretical explanation of organic insti- tutions are here seen as embedded in the Continental stream of enlightened liberalism inspired by the Lockean theory of know- ledge. This methodological stream that deals with decision-mak- ing under uncertainty includes Galiani, Condillac, and Turgot, possibly preceded by Vico.