Kavafis and Mises: Means and End

Abstract

Mises stated¹ that in his theory of human action he starts from the axiom that an individual I₁. Mises considers the terms End and Means abstract methodical tools which an individual may use to analyse human action. In other words, Mises does not consider something to be a Means or an End by itself (in an objective sense), but it is an individual who may consider it a Means or an End.

A means is what serves to the attainment of any end, goal, or aim. Means are not in the given universe; in this universe there exist only things. A thing becomes a means when human reason plans to employ it for the attainment of some end and human action really employs it for this purpose. Thinking man sees the serviceableness of things, i.e., their ability to minister to his ends, and acting man makes them means. It is of primary im - portance to realize that parts of the external world become means only through the operation of the human mind and its offshoot, human action. External objects are as such only phenomena of the physical universe and the subject matter of the natural scien-ces. It is human meaning and action which transform them into means.²

Moreover, Mises considers the terms End and Means as achronical (out of time) methodical tools. Therefore, an individual I₁ may consider an action of his an End and a Means at the «same time».