Lionel Robbins: A Methodological Reappraisal

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Lionel Robbins: A Methodological Reappraisal

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Resende, Marcelo / Zeidan, Rodrigo M.

Abstract

Lionel Robbins contributions are often discussed in terms of two main aspects. First, the delineation of the scope of economics in terms of decision making conditional on scarcity. Second, a more methodological concern with respect to scientific neutrality and the possibility of meaningful separation between positive and normative statements in economics. The related demarcation issue is subject to intense debate and Robbins is often associated with a strong neutrality view [see e.g. Davis (2005), Mongin (2006)]. This paper attempts to situate Robbins aprioristic point of view in terms of posterior methodological developments. In particular, the methodology of scientific research programmes (MSRP) advanced by Lakatos (1968, 1970) has been subject to adaptations in the context of economics by Latsis (1976) in an attempt to accommodate different degrees of apriorism, falsificationism and conventionalism as scientific criteria in economics. The historical path towards Robbins’s (1932, 1935) essay appears to be well documented [see e.g. Howson (2004)]. The paper aims at clarifying the role of Robbins’s essay in shaping the dominant research programme in Economics, and contends that the author’s definition of economics is central to the main elements of the hard core of contemporary research programmes in line with the neoclassical research programme.

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Paper provided by CESifo GmbH in its series CESifo Working Paper Series with number CESifo Working Paper No. 2165.

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Date of creation: 2007
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Handle: RePEc:ces:ceswps:_2165

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References listed on IDEAS
Please report citation or reference errors to , or , if you are the registered author of the cited work, log in to your RePEc Author Service profile, click on "citations" and make appropriate adjustments.:

David Colander & Richard Holt & Barkley Rosser, Jr, 2004. "The changing face of mainstream economics," Review of Political Economy, Taylor and Francis Journals, vol. 16(4), pages 485-499, October. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
Other versions:
- David Colander & Ric Holt & Barkley Rosser, 2003. "The Changing Face of Mainstream Economics," Middlebury College Working Paper Series 0327, Middlebury College, Department of Economics. [Downloadable!]
Sheri M. Markose, 2005. "Computability and Evolutionary Complexity: Markets as Complex Adaptive Systems (CAS)," Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 115(504), pages F159-F192, 06. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
Other versions:
- Sheri M. Markose, 2004. "Computability and Evolutionary Complexity: Markets As Complex Adaptive Systems (CAS)," Economics Discussion Papers 574, University of Essex, Department of Economics. [Downloadable!]
Philippe Mongin, 2006. "Value Judgments and Value Neutrality in Economics," Economica, London School of Economics and Political Science, vol. 73(290), pages 257-286, 05. [Downloadable!] (restricted)

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