John Tomer and Irving Fisher. ‘Brothers’ in Heterodox Economics, and Buddhism

Abstract

Irving Fisher denied the existence of homo economicus, recognized the irrational elements in the determination of impatience (rate of interest), and that people lack perfect self-control, lack perfect foresight, and have bad habits. He also wrote about health, and psychic phenomena. Fisher was also a neoclassical-general equilibrium analyst with “mad” math skills. John Tomer had all of this in common with Fisher, except the neoclassical general equilibrium analyst with mad math skills. John was a follower of Buddhism. Fisher wrote many things which complement what John said about Buddhism, without ever mentioning Buddhism. This paper will explore the relationship between Fisher and Tomer.