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Philosophy, Method and Status of Agricultural Economics

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  • W. B. Back

Abstract

The men whom some economists thus tend to despise they call "methodologists." Perhaps they should be despised. What is the use of a man who studies scientific method? He may explain to students how scientists reached their new theories, but this is unlikely to help the students reach new theories of their own. He may generalize, and lay down cannons of inquiry. But there is no technique for forming good hypotheses which can be taught. Discussions of scientific method are often trite, and seldom useful.—I. M. D. Little, A Critique of Welfare Economics, Introduction.

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  • W. B. Back, 1961. "Philosophy, Method and Status of Agricultural Economics," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 43(4_Part_I), pages 898-909.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:ajagec:v:43:y:1961:i:4_part_i:p:898-909.
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