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How fictional accounts can explain

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  • Robert Sugden

Abstract

In this note, I comment on Julian Reiss's paper 'The explanation paradox'. I argue in support of two of the propositions that make up that paradox (that economic models are false, and that they are explanatory) but challenge the third proposition, that only true accounts can explain. I defend the 'credible worlds' account of models as fictions that are explanatory by virtue of similarity relations with real-world phenomena. I argue that Reiss's objections to the role of subjective similarity judgements in explanation illegitimately presuppose the existence of rational criteria by which science can certify the objective validity of its explanation.

Suggested Citation

  • Robert Sugden, 2013. "How fictional accounts can explain," Journal of Economic Methodology, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 20(3), pages 237-243, September.
  • Handle: RePEc:taf:jecmet:v:20:y:2013:i:3:p:237-243
    DOI: 10.1080/1350178X.2013.828872
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    Cited by:

    1. Łukasz Hardt, 2023. "On the Modelling Method in Adam Smith’s Economic Thought," Gospodarka Narodowa. The Polish Journal of Economics, Warsaw School of Economics, issue 1, pages 3-18.
    2. Thoma, Johanna, 2016. "On the hidden thought experiments of economic theory," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 88156, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    3. Michael Joffe, 2017. "Causal theories, models and evidence in economics—some reflections from the natural sciences," Cogent Economics & Finance, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 5(1), pages 1280983-128, January.

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