Background
Pfouts, Ralph William was born on September 9, 1920 in Atchison, Kansas, United States. Son of Ralph Ulysses and Alice (Oldham) Pfouts.
Pfouts, Ralph William was born on September 9, 1920 in Atchison, Kansas, United States. Son of Ralph Ulysses and Alice (Oldham) Pfouts.
Bachelor, University Kansas, 1942. Master of Arts, University Kansas, 1947. Doctor of Philosophy, University North Carolina, 1952.
Research assistant, instructor economics University Kansas, Lawrence, 1946—1947. Instructor University North Carolina, Chapel Hill, 1947—1950, lecturer economics, 1950—1952, associate professor economics, 1952—1958, professor economics, 1958—1987. Private practice, 1987—2005, Boise, Idaho, since 2005.
Visiting professor University Leeds, 1983. Visiting research scholar International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Laxenberg, Austria, 1983. Professor Central European University, Prague, 1991.
Chairman graduate studies department economics School Business Administration University North Carolina, Chapel Hill, 1957-1962, chairman department economics School Business Administration, 1962-1968. Served as deck officer United States Naval Reserve, 1943-1946.
(Book by Fogel, Professor Robert William)
Author: Elementary Economics-A Mathematical Approach, 1972. Editor: Southern Economic Jour, 1955-1975. Editor, contributor: Techniques of Urban Economic Analysis, 1960, Essays in Economics and Econometrics, 1960.Member editorial board Metroeconomica, 1961-1980, Atlantic Economic Jour, since 1973. Contributor articles to professional jours.
Have attempted to act on a sincere belief that economic theory needs to be more realistic. This is taken to mean that the assumptions underlying a theory should describe reality, should be as complete as possible and should not be clearly contrary to fact. Also that the logic applied to the assumptions should be rigorous and clear.
This led to an attempt to develop a more realistic prototype of the consumer by including wages, hours of work, savings and non-labour income in the utility function. It also led to a dynamic duopoly model which incorporated learning and expectations. This in turn led to an interest in difference equations as a means of analysing dynamic problems.
The desire for realism also led to research on the multiproduct firm.
An inverse belief motivated research on statistical index number formulas which were viewed as realistic but lacking a theoretical basis. Research experience taught me to understand the need for a methodological basis for economics or any empirical science and gave me a continuing interest in methodology as it applies to economics. I have had the good fortune of working with several creative collaborators.
I should mention especially the late C. E. Ferguson who was a more than equal partner in our joint efforts.
Member American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Statistical Association, North Carolina Statistical Association (past president), American Economic Association, Southern Economic Association (past president), International Atlantic Economic Society (vice president 1973-1976, president 1977-1978, Lifetime Achievement award, 2008), Population Association American, Econometric Society, Mathematics Association American, Phi Beta Kappa, Pi Sigma Alpha, Alpha Kappa Psi, Omicron Delta Epsilon.
Married Jane Hoyer, January 31, 1945 (deceased November 1982). Children: James William, Susan Jane Pfouts Portman, Thomas Robert (deceased), Elizabeth Ann Pfouts Klenowski. Married Lois Bateson, December 21, 1984 (divorced).
Married Felicia Sprincenatu, 1993 (divorced). Married June St. James, July 14, 2001.