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Economics as Moral Science

  • Book
  • © 2001

Overview

Authors:
  1. Bernard Hodgson

    1. Department of Philosophy, Trent University, Peterborough, Canada

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Part of the book series: Ethical Economy (SEEP)

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Table of contents (17 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages I-XIV
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  2. Introduction

    • Bernard Hodgson
    Pages 1-5

  3. Theory-Construction in Economic Science

    • Bernard Hodgson
    Pages 6-29

  4. Rationality, Values, and Economic Theory

    • Bernard Hodgson
    Pages 30-36

  5. The Intransigence of Evaluative Concepts

    • Bernard Hodgson
    Pages 37-48

  6. The Ethical Content of “Formal” Structures

    • Bernard Hodgson
    Pages 49-78

  7. Teleology and Utilitarian Economics

    • Bernard Hodgson
    Pages 79-96

  8. Functionalism and the “Systems Approach”

    • Bernard Hodgson
    Pages 97-118

  9. Reasons, Causes, and Economic Methodology

    • Bernard Hodgson
    Pages 119-140

  10. Justification, Obligation, and Consumer Motivation

    • Bernard Hodgson
    Pages 141-156

  11. The Problems Related

    • Bernard Hodgson
    Pages 157-171

  12. Essential Statements and Holisitic Theory

    • Bernard Hodgson
    Pages 172-190

  13. Economic Uncertainty and Logical Structure

    • Bernard Hodgson
    Pages 191-217

  14. Economic Uncertainty and Consumer Autonomy

    • Bernard Hodgson
    Pages 218-244

  15. From Normative Theory to Empirical Science

    • Bernard Hodgson
    Pages 245-261

  16. Neo-classical Economics and Scientific Utopias

    • Bernard Hodgson
    Pages 262-275

  17. Neo-classical Economics and the Rational Justifiability of Moral Principles

    • Bernard Hodgson
    Pages 276-304

  18. Conclusion

    • Bernard Hodgson
    Pages 305-310

  19. Back Matter

    Pages 311-382
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Keywords

About this book

Economics as Moral Science investigates the problem of the ethical neutrality of "mainstream" economic theory within the context of the methodology of economics as a science. Against the conventional wisdom, the author argues that there are serious moral presuppositions to the theory, but that economics could still count as a scientific or rational form of inquiry. The basic questions addressed - the ethical implications of economics, its status as a scientific mode of theory-construction, and the relation between these factors - are absolutely fundamental ones for an understanding of contemporary economics, the philosophy of the human sciences, and our current market culture. Moreover, the study provides a thorough philosophical analysis of the critical issues at stake from the inside, from the credible perspective of a particular, but foundational economic theory - the neoclassical theory of rational choice.

Authors and Affiliations

  • Department of Philosophy, Trent University, Peterborough, Canada

    Bernard Hodgson

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