Studiul economiei, sinteza unei aventuri

This presentation was occasioned by the author's distinction with a Diploma Honoris Causa, for his past work, by the Romanian Academy. It outlines a synthesis of his epistemological approach to economics as a science, most particularly the differences between this science and the sciences of nature. The following differences are discussed in detail: [1] The object of physics, chemistry, biology etc. is essentially the same while the science advances. Instead the object of economics changes while the science tries to keep up with it. [2] The relationship between the science and its object; the agents of the economy may take cognizance and adapt their behaviour according to what science says, while atoms, molecules, cells, stars etc. are "indifferent". [3] The sciences of nature are the basis for the creation of a world parallel to that of nature, i.e. the "world" of the laboratory and technology. Economics always applies to the same world which it studies. [4] The economist is himself one of the many agents of the economy so that his experience can be a source of knowledge. Many comparative examples are given, including some concerning the author's past research jobs in Romania, and more recently in Canada. The theory of games is quoted as illustrating the relationship between the economist and the agents of the economy. It is a version of game theory first discussed by this author and outlined in several of his mentioned works.