Economic Methodology: Understanding Economics as a Science

Description

Economic Methodology explores the status and character of economics as a social science and introduces students to philosophical issues underlying modern science. Approaching the subject as philosophy of science for economists, the authors use the historical developments in philosophy of science to frame this introduction to the field of economic methodology. By doing this they strengthen students' understanding of economics as a science to enhance their reasoning skills, introducing them to the wider philosophical issues surrounding our understanding of the area.

Marcel Boumans is Associate Professor History and Methodology of Economics at the Utrecht School of Economics, Utrecht University, The Netherlands. John B. Davis is Professor of Economics, Marquette University, USA, and Professor of Economics, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

'This book is a good starting point to give students a wider view on economics as a science. Such a view is immensely useful, also later in life, to critically assess debates among economists and communicate without prejudice with non-economists.' Ben Gales, University of Groningen, The Netherlands 'In the best Blaugian tradition of balancing rigour and relevance, the second edition of this textbook adds to an already clear account of key methodological concepts. It reinforces the relevance of methodological tools to clarify economic debates.' Giancarlo Ianulardo, University of Exeter Business School, UK 'The book is a valuable companion for students interested in the conceptualisation and interplay of economic narration and its empiricism. It offers a sober view on the ongoing debate in economics, reinvigorated by the recent crisis.' Gianpiero Torrisi, University of Portsmouth, UK Praise for the first edition: 'This is a very innovative, clear, and well-informed text in economic methodology that fills an important niche.' D. Wade Hands, Professor of Economics, University of Puget Sound and Co-editor of the Journal of Economic Methodology 'This is an excellent book that goes beyond being a textbook. It is a contribution in synthesizing issues in methodology of economics.' Sohrab Behdad, Professor and John E. Harris Chair in Economics, Denison University, USA 'This book addresses an urgent need. The global economic crisis has provoked many students to question the scientific status of economics and normative reasoning of economists. This book shows how knowledge of the philosophy of science and science studies can help make such questions more sophisticated. Professors will be pleased with the sure-handed treatment of these fields given by Boumans and Davis; students will be grateful for the plentiful examples, as well as the 'So what?' sections, new to the second edition. I look forward to using this book for years to come.' Edward Nik-Khah, Roanoke College, USA.