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Wissenschaftlicher Fortschritt in den Wirtschaftswissenschaften: Einige Bemerkungen

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  • Gebhard Kirchgässner

Abstract

First, points of view of economists regarding falsificationism, scientific revolutions and scientific research programmes are discussed. Next, hardly debatable scientific progress regarding empirical economic research in recent decades is described. Then it is asked whether there have been scientific revolutions with respect to economic theory or the basic methodology of the economic approach. Taking this term seriously, there have been at best two revolutions since the time of Adam Smith. Today, economists share a common paradigm, which also builds the hard core of their scientific research programme. But while this hard core is hardly questioned, the safety belt is discussed the more. Nevertheless, most today’s economic research can be considered as being ‘normal science’. Even if this kind of research is not without problems, there is no reason to assess it as being of secondary value. / Zuerst wird auf die Positionen verschiedener Ökonomen zu Falsifikationismus, wissenschaftliche Revolutionen und wissenschaftliche Forschungsprogramme eingegangen. Danach wird der kaum bestreitbare Fortschritt dargestellt, der sich in den letzten Jahrzehnten im methodisch-empirischen Bereich vollzogen hat. Im Anschluss daran wird gefragt, ob es neben diesem Fortschritt, der sich vergleichsweise kontinuierlich vollzieht, auch Revolutionen gegeben hat, die sich insbesondere im Bereich der Theorie (bzw. der grundlegenden Methodologie) vollzogen haben. Anschliessend beschäftigen wir uns mit dem Paradigma, welches hinter dem ökonomischen Ansatz steht, sowie mit dem entsprechenden Forschungsprogramm und der Kritik daran. Schliesslich werden Probleme der Normalwissenschaft in den Wirtschaftswissenschaften diskutiert, die heute ohne Zweifel den grössten Raum im Rahmen der wirtschaftswissenschaftlichen Forschung einnimmt. Auch wenn damit einige Probleme verbunden sind, besteht kein Anlass, diese Forschung in irgendeiner Weise abzuwerten.

Suggested Citation

  • Gebhard Kirchgässner, 2015. "Wissenschaftlicher Fortschritt in den Wirtschaftswissenschaften: Einige Bemerkungen," Schmollers Jahrbuch : Journal of Applied Social Science Studies / Zeitschrift für Wirtschafts- und Sozialwissenschaften, Duncker & Humblot, Berlin, vol. 135(2), pages 209-248.
  • Handle: RePEc:dah:aeqsjb:v135_y2015_i2_q2_p209-248
    DOI: 10.3790/schm.135.2.209
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    JEL classification:

    • B10 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - History of Economic Thought through 1925 - - - General
    • B41 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - Economic Methodology - - - Economic Methodology

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