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[on behalf of ESHET, I send an obituary of Paolo Sylos Labini,
elected as Honorary Member of the society. Daniele Besomi]
Paolo Sylos Labini passed away on December 7th, 2005, aged 85.
Emeritus Professor at the University La Sapienza (Rome) and one of
the most eminent economists in the world, he was known for his
seminal theory of oligopoly and many other contributions. His book
Oligopolio e progresso tecnico (1956) is a milestone in the history
of economics. He has left us many important studies about economic
development and its determinants, nearly all of them translated into
English. His last book, published a few months ago, goes back to his
preferred theme of development and technical progress and to his
preferred approach: the history of economics as a way to understand
present problems. Its title is: Torniamo ai classici. Produttivite
del lavoro, progresso tecnico e sviluppo economico, Roma-Bari:
Laterza, 2005 (Let's go back to the Classics. Labour productivity,
technical progress and economic development).
After graduation, Sylos Labini studied at Harvard, with Joseph
Schumpeter, and in Cambridge (UK); he was member of some of the most
prestigious academies and scientific associations, in Italy (among
which the Accademia dei Lincei ) and in the world (among which the
American Economic Association). He also was awarded many prestigious
scientific prizes, and was repeatedly called to advise the Italian
government and other policy institutions.
At the last ESHET Conference, in Stirling, the Council awarded him
the title of Honorary Member, with the following motivation:
"Sylos Labini is an eminent scholar of economics always interested in
the history of economics. His studies on oligopolistic markets, on
development and underdevelopment, and on social classes cannot be
really detached from his interests in the Classical school, in the
value theory, in the economics of underdevelopment and especially in
Adam Smith�s thought. Beside giving us a deep insight in these
problems, Sylos Labini has thought us a scientific approach free from
ideologies, independent but also socially engaged."
When I officially informed him of the award, his reaction was:
"I am really pleased about this title of Honorary Member of ESHET.
Please convey to the Council and the Executive Committee my feelings
of real happiness. It will be a great pleasure for me to attend the
Dinner in Porto, provided that I am still around!" (my translation
from Italian).
Probably he felt his end near, but hinted at it with
much sobriety. He was disenchanted with human nature and social
injustice, and nevertheless passionately fought for social
development and justice at a scientific and a civic level. In times
dominated by ideologies, even in economics, he stood for an empirical
approach, looking for rational ways to promote economic development
and defending the often neglected role of technical progress. He did
not like grand theories about human nature. He preferred to "measure"
factors of production and cultural attitudes, without losing sight of
the social and moral values. This is how he repeatedly approached
issues like social classes in Italy, underdevelopment, industrial
relations and the development of Southern Italy.
The language of his research was simple and
straightforward; the concepts were neat and clear, free from any
rhetoric. Thanks to his disinterested commitment to science and to
society, Paolo Sylos Labini was exceptionally able to stir human
sympathy. His life is a remarkable example of how scientific
engagement and civic commitment can be combined without prejudicing
their reciprocal independence.
Cosimo Perrotta
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Received on 20-12-05
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