Rational Economic Man: a philosophical critique of neo-classical economics - Hardcover

Hollis, Martin & Edward J. Nell.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0521204089 ISBN 13: 9780521204088

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 1975

Synopsis

Economics is probably the most subtle, precise and powerful of the social sciences and its theories have deep philosophical import. Yet the dominant alliance between economics and philosophy has long been cheerfully simple. This is the textbook alliance of neo-Classicism and Positivism, so crucial to the defence of orthodox economics against by now familiar objections. This is an unusual book and a deliberately controversial one. The authors cast doubt on assumptions which neo-Classicists often find too obvious to defend or, indeed, to mention. They set out to disturb an influential concensus and to champion an unpopular cause. Although they go deeper into both philosophy and economics than is usual in interdisciplinary works, they start from first principles and the text is provokingly clear. This will be a stimulating book for all economic theorists and philosophers interested in the philosophy of science and social science.

About this title

Book Description:

This is an unusual book and a deliberately controversial one. The authors cast doubt on assumptions which neo-Classicists often find too obvious to defend or, indeed, to mention. They set out to disturb an influential concensus and to champion an unpopular cause.

About this edition

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 1975
• ISBN 10: 0521204089
• ISBN 13: 9780521204088
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 286