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How Should We Approach the History of Economic Thought, Fact, Fiction or Moral Tale?

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  • Backhouse, Roger E.

Abstract

This paper reviews the way in which constructivist or anti-representationalist arguments have been used as an argument in favor of changing the way we write the history of economic thought. It is argued that though such arguments provide some important new perspectives on the subject, their use as a comprehensive methodological critique of “traditional” approaches to the subject rests on the theses that a non-foundationalist methodology is impossible, and that we can assume that contemporary economics is in a healthy state. If these theses are not accepted, the case against “traditional” histories collapses.

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  • Backhouse, Roger E., 1992. "How Should We Approach the History of Economic Thought, Fact, Fiction or Moral Tale?," Journal of the History of Economic Thought, Cambridge University Press, vol. 14(1), pages 18-35, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:jhisec:v:14:y:1992:i:01:p:18-35_00
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    Cited by:

    1. André Lapidus, 2019. "Bringing them alive," The European Journal of the History of Economic Thought, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 26(6), pages 1084-1106, November.
    2. Klausinger, Hansjörg, 1993. "Die Klassische Ökonomie und die Keynessche Alternative. Revision eines Mythos?," Department of Economics Working Paper Series 25, WU Vienna University of Economics and Business.
    3. Wilfred Dolfsma & Patrick J. Welch, 2009. "Paradigms and Novelty in Economics: The History of Economic Thought as a Source of Enlightenment," American Journal of Economics and Sociology, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 68(5), pages 1085-1106, November.
    4. Welch, P. & Dolfsma, W.A., 2004. "How To Be Better Prepared For A Paradigm Shift In Economic Theory, And Write Better Articles In The Meantime," ERIM Report Series Research in Management ERS-2004-101-ORG, Erasmus Research Institute of Management (ERIM), ERIM is the joint research institute of the Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University and the Erasmus School of Economics (ESE) at Erasmus University Rotterdam.
    5. Mark Blaug, 2001. "No History of Ideas, Please, We're Economists," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 15(1), pages 145-164, Winter.

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