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Hypotheses non fingo: Problems with the scientific method in economics

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  • J. Doyne Farmer

Abstract

Although it is often said that economics is too much like physics, to a physicist economics is not at all like physics. The difference is in the scientific methods of the two fields: theoretical economics uses a top down approach in which hypothesis and mathematical rigor come first and empirical confirmation comes second. Physics, in contrast, embraces the bottom up 'experimental philosophy' of Newton, in which 'hypotheses are inferred from phenomena, and afterward rendered general by induction'. Progress would accelerates if economics were to truly make empirical verification the ultimate arbiter of theories, which would force it to open up to alternative approaches.

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  • J. Doyne Farmer, 2013. "Hypotheses non fingo: Problems with the scientific method in economics," Journal of Economic Methodology, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 20(4), pages 377-385, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:jecmet:v:20:y:2013:i:4:p:377-385
    DOI: 10.1080/1350178X.2013.859408
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    Cited by:

    1. Gräbner, Claudius, 2016. "From realism to instrumentalism - and back? Methodological implications of changes in the epistemology of economics," MPRA Paper 71933, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    2. Cimoli, Mario & Porcile, Gabriel, 2017. "Micro-macro interactions, growth and income distribution revisited," Desarrollo Productivo 41854, Naciones Unidas Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe (CEPAL).

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