Economic methodology : an inquiry /

Includes bibliographical references (p. [181]-198) and index.4.4 Empirical Work as the Basis for Institutional Design: Independent Central Banks 49 -- 4.5 Conclusion 51 -- 4.6 Further Reading 53 -- 5 The Scope and Purpose of Economics 55 -- 5.1 Introduction 55 -- 5.2 The Nature and Scope of Economics 56 -- 5.3 The Purpose of Economics 61 -- 5.4 Economics and the Physical Sciences 68 -- 5.5 Conclusion 74 -- 5.6 Further Reading 75 -- 6 Progress in Economics 77 -- 6.1 Introduction 77 -- 6.2 Inductivism and Deductivism 78 -- 6.3 Empirical Testing 85 -- 6.4 (Critical) Rationalism 90 -- 6.5 Modelling, Mathematics, and Economics 96 -- 6.6 Conclusion 102 -- 6.7 Further Reading 104 -- 7 Understanding Economics 106 -- 7.1 Introduction 106 -- 7.2 Economics as a Social Activity 107 -- 7.3 Rhetoric 114 -- 7.4 Postmodernism 122 -- 7.5 Sociology of Scientific Knowledge/Science Studies 126 -- 7.6 Conclusion 129 -- 7.7 Further Reading 131 -- 8 Understanding the Economy 132 -- 8.1 Introduction 132 -- 8.2 Realism 135 -- 8.3 Rationality 1438.4 Logic and Rigour 147 -- 8.5 Pluralism 155 -- 8.6 Conclusion 160 --8.7 Further Reading 161 -- 9 Issues for Methodology and Economics 162 -- 9.1 Introduction 162 -- 9.2 Sociology, Modes of Thought, and Visions of Reality 163 -- 9.3 Our Choice of Methodology 168 -- 9.4 Relationships with Other Disciplines 170 -- 9.5 What all this Means for Applying Economics to -- Policy Issues 175 -- 9.6 Implications for Economics Education 177 -- 9.7 Conclusion: Methodology and the Future of -- Economics 178 -- 9.8 Further Reading 180.Machine generated contents note: 1 What's so Funny about Economics? -- 2 Where is Economics Going? 4 -- 2.1 Introduction 4 -- 2.2 Why Does Economics Keep on Changing? 5 -- 2.3 Issues for Economists 10 -- 2.4 The Public Understanding of Economics 14 -- 2.5 Conclusion 17 -- 2.6 Further Reading 18 -- 3 Some Theoretical Issues 19 -- 3.1 Introduction 19 -- 3.2 Human Nature: Economics of the Family 20 -- 3.3 Relationships with Other Disciplines: The Theory -- of the Firm 25 -- 3.4 The Micro-Macro Distinction: Credit Rationing 28 -- 3.5 Expectations: Model Uncertainty and Monetary -- Policy 30 -- 3.6 Welfare Issues: The Distribution of Global Pollution 33 -- 3.7 Conclusion 36 -- 3.8 Further Reading 36 -- 4 Some Empirical Issues 38 -- 4.1 Introduction 38 -- 4.2 Empirical Work as Theory Testing: Education and -- Earnings; Education and Growth 39 -- 4.3 Empirical Work as a Basis for Prediction: -- Predicting Financial Crises 4