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Is Economics a Natural Science?

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  • Nelson, Julie A.

Abstract

Advocates of a more socially responsible discipline of economics often emphasize the purposive and unpredictable nature of human economic behavior, contrasting this to the presumably deterministic behavior of natural forces. This essay argues that such a distinction between "social" and "natural" sciences is in fact counterproductive, especially when issues of ecological sustainability are concerned. What is needed instead is a better notion of science-"science-with-wonder"-which grounds serious science in relational, non-Newtonian thinking.

Suggested Citation

  • Nelson, Julie A., 2004. "Is Economics a Natural Science?," Working Papers 15589, Tufts University, Global Development and Environment Institute.
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:tugdwp:15589
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.15589
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    5. Aguayo, Francisco & Gallagher, Kevin P., 2005. "Economic reform, energy, and development: the case of Mexican manufacturing," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 33(7), pages 829-837, May.
    6. Julie A. Nelson, "undated". "Is Economics a Natural Science?," GDAE Working Papers 04-03, GDAE, Tufts University.
    7. Jonathan M. Harris, "undated". "Agriculture in a Global Perspective," GDAE Working Papers 01-04, GDAE, Tufts University.
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    10. Jonathan M. Harris, "undated". "Macroeconomic Policy and Sustainability," GDAE Working Papers 01-09, GDAE, Tufts University.
    11. Timothy A. Wise, "undated". "The Paradox of Agricultural Subsidies: Measurement Issues, Agricultural Dumping, and Policy Reform," GDAE Working Papers 04-02, GDAE, Tufts University.
    12. Aguayo, Francisco & Gallagher, Kevin P. & Gonzalez, Ana Citlalic, 2001. "Dirt is in the Eye of the Beholder: The World Bank Air Pollution Intensities for Mexico," Working Papers 15576, Tufts University, Global Development and Environment Institute.
    13. Harris, Jonathan M., 2000. "Basic Principles of Sustainable Development," Working Papers 15600, Tufts University, Global Development and Environment Institute.
    14. Kevin P. Gallagher & Francisco Aguayo & Ana Citlalic González, "undated". "Dirt is in the Eye of the Beholder: The World Bank Air Pollution Intensities for Mexico," GDAE Working Papers 01-07, GDAE, Tufts University.
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    16. Goodwin, Neva R., 2003. "Macroeconomics for the 21st Century," Working Papers 15581, Tufts University, Global Development and Environment Institute.
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    Cited by:

    1. Kotsemir, Maxim & Meissner, Dirk, 2013. "Conceptualizing the Innovation Process – Trends and Outlook," MPRA Paper 46504, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    2. Julie A. Nelson, "undated". "Is Economics a Natural Science?," GDAE Working Papers 04-03, GDAE, Tufts University.
    3. Gowdy, John M., 2008. "Behavioral economics and climate change policy," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 68(3-4), pages 632-644, December.
    4. Kvachev, Vadim, 2020. "Unflat Ontology: Essay on the Poverty of Democratic Materialism," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 9(1, July), pages 13-34.
    5. Finn Olesen, 2010. "Uncertainty, bounded rationality and post-Keynesian Macroeconomics," European Journal of Economics and Economic Policies: Intervention, Edward Elgar Publishing, vol. 7(1), pages 109-124.

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