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Methodological Individualism: Still a Useful Methodology for the Social Sciences?

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  • Reinhard Neck

    (Alpen-Adria-Universität)

Abstract

This paper explains the role of methodological individualism as a methodology for the social sciences by briefly discussing its forerunners in economics and sociology, especially in the works of Carl Menger and Max Weber, followed by some comments on Karl Popper’s and other critical rationalists’ contributions as well as rational choice theories. Some recent arguments against methodological rationalism are then provided, including counterarguments, mainly based on exemplary work by economists and sociologists. This paper proposes a scheme for analyses using (weak) methodological individualism, in particular, arguing that evolutionary approaches to the explanation of economic and other social phenomena that accord with methodological individualism suggest that it is a successful and progressive methodology for economics and sociology.

Suggested Citation

  • Reinhard Neck, 2021. "Methodological Individualism: Still a Useful Methodology for the Social Sciences?," Atlantic Economic Journal, Springer;International Atlantic Economic Society, vol. 49(4), pages 349-361, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:atlecj:v:49:y:2021:i:4:d:10.1007_s11293-022-09740-x
    DOI: 10.1007/s11293-022-09740-x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Marek Louzek, 2011. "The Battle of Methods in Economics. The Classical Methodenstreit—Menger vs. Schmoller," American Journal of Economics and Sociology, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 70(2), pages 439-463, April.
    2. Hurwicz, Leonid, 1973. "The Design of Mechanisms for Resource Allocation," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 63(2), pages 1-30, May.
    3. List, Christian & Spiekermann, Kai, 2013. "Methodological Individualism and Holism in Political Science: A Reconciliation," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 107(4), pages 629-643, November.
    4. Kincaid,Harold, 1996. "Philosophical Foundations of the Social Sciences," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9780521482684.
    5. Reinhard Neck, 2014. "On Austrian Economics and the Economics of Carl Menger," Atlantic Economic Journal, Springer;International Atlantic Economic Society, vol. 42(3), pages 217-227, September.
    6. Alan P. Kirman, 1992. "Whom or What Does the Representative Individual Represent?," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 6(2), pages 117-136, Spring.
    7. Joseph Schumpeter, 1909. "On the Concept of Social Value," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 23(2), pages 213-232.
    8. Arrow, Kenneth J, 1994. "Methodological Individualism and Social Knowledge," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 84(2), pages 1-9, May.
    9. Harold Kincaid, 2004. "Methodological Individualism and Economics," Chapters, in: John B. Davis & Alain Marciano & Jochen Runde (ed.), The Elgar Companion To Economics and Philosophy, chapter 15, Edward Elgar Publishing.
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    Cited by:

    1. Jean-Baptiste Fleury & Alain Marciano, 2022. "Methodological Individualism and the Foundations of the "Law and Economics" movement," Post-Print hal-03820441, HAL.
    2. Naudé, Wim, 2023. "Artificial Intelligence and the Economics of Decision-Making," IZA Discussion Papers 16000, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).

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