Os fundamentos do pensamento de Friedrich Hayek: uma análise epistemológica a partir do debate historicista alemão

Abstract

This thesis developed an analysis of Friedrich Hayek's theory with the main objective of understanding the importance of the German historicist debate and the discussion about values and social law for the development of the author's thought. To achieve this objective, a theoretical reconstitution of the historicist debate and its consequences for the social sciences was made, in addition, the exposition was centered on the "Methodenstreit" understanding it as an important point for the methodological discussion in the social sciences and, mainly, for the formation of the thought of the author studied. It then proceeds to a scrutiny of his thought and the main concepts of his work in order to analyze the breadth of influence of the debate previously presented and its consequences on the author's theory. Hayek's thought, for the purposes of analysis, was divided into two central parts: the discussion of science and social sciences and his main ideas about the functioning of society. Finally, it was understood that Hayek's thinking was influenced by the academic and social scenario of his time, so that the main debates that constituted German historicism also exerted a presence and influence on his thinking. In addition, it was understood that his theory of cultural evolution represents a point of tension regarding these foundations and the positions taken by the author on the possibility of the existence of a meaning for the social process.