Jan Tinbergen received his doctorate in theoretical physics at Leiden University in Holland. He is Emeritus Professor, Erasmus University, Rotterdam. He and Ragnar Frisch won the Nobel Prize in Economics in 1969 for "his work in econometrics and econ omic measurement. In fact, he is among the economists who developed econometrics. He switched his interest from physics to economics partly as a reaction to the Great Depression.

His major work in econometrics was the development of multiequation models of economies and he also showed that a government with several economic targets must have at least as many policy instruments.

The following is on exerpt from , Solving the Most Urgent Problems First, in "Eminent Economists: Their Life Philosophies", in which he expresses his feelings toward economics and other sciences:

"A fascinating subject, too, is the relationship between disciplines, the comparing of different sciences. I cannot help sticking to my boyhood admiration of physics, in particular, astrophysics. I think the most imaginative contributions t o human understanding have been made by Einstein. To be faced with the fact that the velocity of light is the same when measured from a body moving toward the source of a beam of light is the same when measured from a body moving away from that source, a nd then to change the concepts of time and space accordingly so that the constancy of that velocity is the result--I cannot imagine more fundamental originality.

I think the theories about the material universe reveal the unbelievably creative working of the human mind. I feel the same about the chain we are building from single hydrogen atoms to more complicated ones with carbon at the threshold of organic chemi stry and from there to protein and subsequently to cells; and gradually we are approaching the basic ideas of computers as possible models of the working of our brains.

Coming back to earth, economics takes possession of us. Economics is of human origin, in contradistinction to the universe and our environment. It reflects many of our imperfections, such as our self-centeredness, our myopia, and the lagging of our idea ls behind evidence. As Keynes said: "Many people's economic thinking is based on what they were taught decades ago." But as everyone who has to operate in the economy thinks to be an expert, doctrinaire thinking abounds. So much for the shortcomings o f others. I have my own. "Trial and error" might characterize my way of working.

Works by Jan Tinbergen:

• Vertragingsgolven en levensduurgolven, Strijdenskracht door Wetensmacht
  
• Spardefizit und Handelsdefizit, Weltwirtschaftliches
  
• Allocations of Workers over Jobs, De Economist
  
• Business Cycles in the United Kingdom
  
• Business Cycles in the United States
  
• On the Theory of Economic Policy
  
• Solving the Most Urgent Problems First, Eminent Economists: Their Life Philosophies

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