Abstract:

The main goals of the course are twofold: Firstly, to provide a deep understanding of the economic history of the Western world and the globe; and secondly, to examine human history through economic concepts.

At first glance, the connection between these two realms – history and economics – might seem somewhat unusual. Economics is a discipline that examines human actions beyond the historical conditions in which they live. On the contrary, the study of history assumes that one cannot comprehend individuals without considering the historical moment they inhabit, or as individuals influenced by historical events.

However, any examination of history without economics, and of economics without history, remains only a partial analysis. For instance, the question arises as to why economic models don't operate in the same manner across different countries. The answer lies in the unique "histories" of each country, shaping the context in which their economies f?unction.

Abstract:

October 6, 1973, and October 7, 2023, will be remembered in Israel’s military history as days when intelligence conceptions collapsed—those worldviews regarding the enemy’s status and intentions that military intelligence provided. But what are "conceptions"? Could alternative conceptions have been held, and why are we always bound by some conception? The answers to these questions are philosophical.

The role of military intelligence is to provide decision-makers at various levels with an accurate picture of the enemy, or in other words, the reality they face. By nature, this process consists of two stages: knowledge collection and knowledge research, which includes evaluating the collected data and directing collection agencies for further missions. Both stages can be analyzed through philosophical tools, particularly within the philosophy of science.