Warren J. Samuels Reihenfolge der Bücher (Chronologisch)

The main theme of this book is the methodological problem of rationality in economic thought. The author investigates the different interpretations of this problem advanced by major figures in the history of economic thought. The book examines the history and rationality of the 'theory of value' from Adam Smith to Alfred Marshall and attempts to understand these arguments and criticisms within a general methodological vein. It goes on to provide a complete historical account of the ideas and arguments on value propounded by Smith, Ricardo, Marx, Jevons, Walras and Marshall as well as by more recent scholars such as Sraffa and Debreu and interprets their methodological differences. The author proposes a novel 'pragmatic-pluralist' methodological interpretation which borrows and creatively synthesizes ideas from many sources, including Wittgenstein (language-games), Searle (performatives), Habermas (communicative reason), hermeneutics, Marx and the pragmatic tradition. Rationality in Economic Thought will be of interest to students and scholars of the history of economic thought, economic methodology and the philosophy of the social sciences.

This work makes a significant contribution to the philosophy of economics and the inquiry process within the field. It begins with a critical examination of McCloskey's rhetorical approach to understanding economics and explores whether economics qualifies as a science. The author evaluates three key concepts: first, whether economics meets a methodological standard, concluding that failure to do so categorizes it as a non-science; second, whether it possesses a body of fundamental laws; and third, whether it includes ideal theories that omit real-world complexities. The discussion leads to the assertion that the focus should shift from the rhetorical approach and the science question to the central role of models in economic inquiry. The author elaborates on the nature of economic models, emphasizing that much of economic thought revolves around constructing models to address conceptual issues and explain real-world phenomena. This work offers fresh insights into existing methodologies and suggests new avenues for future research. It will appeal to those interested in advancements in economic methodology and philosophy, as well as the overall progress and future of the discipline.

This highly original new book examines the scientific status of economics from the perspective of practising economists. It studies how they evaluate their theories, the relationship between those theories and the phenomena they are intended to represent, and the philosophy, methodology and scientific credentials of economics. It examines the tension between economics as the logic of rational choice and as a predictive science, that is reason and reality respectively. It surveys the five most influential schools of thought in the methodology of economics, with special emphasis on theory logical positivism, instrumentalism, a priorism , scientific realism and rhetorical analysis. Professor Fox assesses the extent to which economists have followed the precepts and consequences of their methodological position. He extends the discussion to consider the purpose of such economic inquiry, the scope of application and the appropriate structure of economic theory, as the legitimate sources of economic knowledge. In conclusion he argues that a resolution of existing and emerging methodological controversies in economics must begin with a better understanding of the various voices within the discipline. Intended as an introduction to the major schools of thought in economics, this book will be of interest to students and scholars of economics, philosophy and economic methodology.