Determinism, Causality and Explanation in Economics: An Austrian School Perspective (1) (Routledge INEM Advances in Economic Methodology)

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Synopsis
In recent years, the concepts of determinism, causality, and explanation have taken on particular importance in the economic literature. Due to the failures of economic predictions based on mathematical models, philosophers and economists turned their attention to methodological issues. At the same time, heterodox approaches to economics have received increased attention, including the Austrian school of economics, an intellectual tradition that perceives economics as a science of human action and has emphasised the role of causal explanations practically from its inception. This book opens by exploring disputes in the philosophy of science over the fundamental goal of science. While instrumentalists argue that scientists should aim at good predictions regardless of the veracity of theories, according to scientific realists, they should look for knowledge that reflects reality. The book shows that the Austrian tradition adheres to scientific realism and can be perceived as a middle ground between historicism and positivism. It discusses the determinism/free will problem in economics and its methodological relevance. Then, it examines various theories of causality (regularity, counterfactual, interventionist, probabilistic, and process/mechanistic) and their applicability to economics. Finally, it explores possible and desirable types of explanations in economics. As the book tries to show, the Austrian school offers a unique and valuable approach to these issues. The book will be of particular interest to readers in economic theory, philosophy of economics, and economic methodology, especially those appreciating heterodox traditions.
Copyright:
2025

Book Details

Book Quality:
Publisher Quality
Book Size:
178 Pages
ISBN-13:
9781040382820
Related ISBNs:
9781032900438, 9781040382813, 9781003545934
Publisher:
Taylor & Francis
Date of Addition:
Copyrighted By:
Dawid Megger, The right of Dawid Megger to be identified as author of this work has been asserted in accordance with sections
Adult content:
No
Language:
English
Has Image Descriptions:
No
Categories:
Nonfiction, Business and Finance
Submitted By:
Bookshare Staff
Usage Restrictions:
This is a copyrighted book.

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