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The Pioneers’ Arguments for Formulating Economic Problems Mathematically

Author

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  • Sandelin, Bo

    (Department of Economics, School of Business, Economics and Law, Göteborg University)

Abstract

The nineteenth century pioneers in formulating economic problems mathematically often felt that they needed to explain their reasons for using mathematics. We will look at the arguments of Cournot, Thünen, Gossen, Jevons, Walras, Edgeworth, Marshall, Fisher, Wicksell, and Pareto. Three main arguments can be found: First, mathematics provides greater clarity of presentation, secondly, economics is fundamentally similar to the mathematical natural sciences, especially physics, and third, mathematics can help economists themselves to control the reasoning in their analysis.

Suggested Citation

  • Sandelin, Bo, 2015. "The Pioneers’ Arguments for Formulating Economic Problems Mathematically," Working Papers in Economics 633, University of Gothenburg, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:hhs:gunwpe:0633
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/2077/40891
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Reghinos D. Theocharis, 1993. "The Development of Mathematical Economics," Palgrave Macmillan Books, Palgrave Macmillan, number 978-1-349-12992-8, December.
    2. Jevons, William Stanley, 1871. "The Theory of Political Economy," History of Economic Thought Books, McMaster University Archive for the History of Economic Thought, number jevons1871.
    3. Turk, Michael H., 2012. "The Mathematical Turn In Economics: Walras, The French Mathematicians, And The Road Not Taken," Journal of the History of Economic Thought, Cambridge University Press, vol. 34(2), pages 149-167, June.
    4. Edgeworth, Francis Ysidro, 1881. "Mathematical Psychics," History of Economic Thought Books, McMaster University Archive for the History of Economic Thought, number edgeworth1881.
    5. Peter Groenewegen, 1995. "A SOARING EAGLE: Alfred Marshall 1842–1924," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 193.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    History of economic thought; economic methodology; mathematics; marginalism;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • B41 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - Economic Methodology - - - Economic Methodology
    • C00 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - General - - - General

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