Dr. Mises was the pen name of Gustav Theodor Fechner (1801–1887), an alter ego he adopted for his more speculative and satiric writing and an outlet for the more troubled element of his thought where he found himself at odds with both himself and the world. While Fechner is remembered as an experimental psychologist, pioneer in experimental psychology, founder of psychophysics, and inspiration for Sigmund Freud and William James, Dr. Mises was more the precursor of Diogenes Teufelsdröckh and Dr. Faustroll: a creature of learning run rampant, ready to entertain any counterargument.