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Quit lying and address the controversies: there are no dogmata, laws, rules or standards in the science of economics

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  • Becker, William E.

Abstract

As with other sciences, the author argues that there are no unquestionable ideas in economics, and attempts to impose "No Child Left Behind" K-12 type "technical standards" in universities will turn higher education in economics into remedial education. Students need to learn that the very nature of a science is to have unresolved topics and an on-going scrutiny of theories no matter how steeped they are in tradition. He provides examples to show how the dumbing down of economics to the dogmatic preaching of a few simple concepts, principles, and axioms of old misses the excitement of modern day economics and is a deceitful representation of the science of economics and a disservice to students seeking a higher education.

Suggested Citation

  • Becker, William E., 2007. "Quit lying and address the controversies: there are no dogmata, laws, rules or standards in the science of economics," MPRA Paper 39958, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    • Handle: RePEc:pra:mprapa:39958
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    Cited by:

    1. William Polley, 2014. "Do students recognize an opportunity cost when they see one? Evidence from introductory economics," Economics Bulletin, AccessEcon, vol. 34(3), pages 1550-1556.
    2. James K. Self & William E. Becker, 2016. "Teaching and Learning Alternatives to a Comparative Advantage Motivation for Trade," The American Economist, Sage Publications, vol. 61(2), pages 178-190, October.
    3. Steven C. Myers & Michael A. Nelson & Richard W. Stratton, 2009. "Assessing An Economics Programme: Hansen Proficiencies, ePortfolio, and Undergraduate Research," International Review of Economic Education, Economics Network, University of Bristol, vol. 8(1), pages 87-105.
    4. Carlos Asarta & Ken Rebeck, 2011. "Measurement Techniques of Student Performance and Literacy: College and High School," Chapters, in: Gail M. Hoyt & KimMarie McGoldrick (ed.), International Handbook on Teaching and Learning Economics, chapter 29, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    5. Robin Bartlett & Marianne Ferber & Carole Green, 2009. "The Committee on Economic Education: Its Effect on the Introductory Course and Women in Economics," Forum for Social Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 38(2-3), pages 153-172, January.
    6. Pearce, John A., 2017. "How employers can stanch the hemorrhaging of collegiate GPA credibility," Business Horizons, Elsevier, vol. 60(1), pages 35-43.
    7. Carlos J. Asarta & Austin S. Jennings & Paul W. Grimes, 2017. "Economic Education Retrospective," The American Economist, Sage Publications, vol. 62(1), pages 102-117, March.
    8. Daniel F. Stone, 2015. "Clarifying (Opportunity) Costs," The American Economist, Sage Publications, vol. 60(1), pages 20-25, May.
    9. Grace O. Onodipe & Amanda L. Wilsker & Mark A. Partridge, 2022. "Economic knowledge, political views, and Covid-19 related behaviors," Economics Bulletin, AccessEcon, vol. 42(2), pages 895-906.
    10. Joel Potter & Shane Sanders, 2012. "Do Economists Recognize an Opportunity Cost When They See One? A Dismal Performance or an Arbitrary Concept?," Southern Economic Journal, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 79(2), pages 248-256, October.
    11. Robert Garnett & Andrew Mearman, 2011. "Contending Perspectives, Twenty Years On: What Have Our Students Learned?," Working Papers 201104, Texas Christian University, Department of Economics.
    12. Robin Bartlett & Marianne Ferber & Carole Green, 2009. "The Committee on Economic Education: Its Effect on the Introductory Course and Women in Economics," Forum for Social Economics, Springer;The Association for Social Economics, vol. 38(2), pages 153-172, July.
    13. William E. Becker & Suzanne R. Becker, 2011. "Potpourri: Reflections from Husband/Wife Academic Editors," The American Economist, Sage Publications, vol. 56(2), pages 74-84, November.
    14. KimMarie McGoldrick & Robert Garnett, 2013. "Big Think: A Model for Critical Inquiry in Economics Courses," The Journal of Economic Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 44(4), pages 389-398, October.
    15. Daniel Dufourt, 2012. "Savoirs et compétences. De l'Université au monde professionnel," Working Papers halshs-00870746, HAL.
    16. Green, Tom L., 2013. "Teaching (un)sustainability? University sustainability commitments and student experiences of introductory economics," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 94(C), pages 135-142.
    17. Robert F. Garnett, Jr., 2009. "Rethinking The Pluralist Agenda In Economics Education," International Review of Economic Education, Economics Network, University of Bristol, vol. 8(2), pages 58-71.
    18. Jong-Shin Wei, 2008. "Having Fun with Organized Kissing: A Pedagogical Note," International Journal of Business and Economics, School of Management Development, Feng Chia University, Taichung, Taiwan, vol. 7(1), pages 53-59, April.
    19. Thornton, Tim B, 2011. "The economics curriculum in Australian Universities 1980 to 2011," MPRA Paper 39321, University Library of Munich, Germany.

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    Keywords

    teaching economics; economics education;

    JEL classification:

    • A2 - General Economics and Teaching - - Economic Education and Teaching of Economics

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