Universität Wien

040791 SE Philosophy-Politics-Economics (2012W)

Critical Rationalism and Economics

4.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 4 - Wirtschaftswissenschaften
Continuous assessment of course work

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 20 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Thursday 04.10. 16:30 - 18:00 (Seminarraum 2 Hohenstaufengasse 9 1.Stock)
  • Thursday 11.10. 16:30 - 18:00 (Seminarraum 2 Hohenstaufengasse 9 1.Stock)
  • Thursday 18.10. 16:30 - 18:00 (Seminarraum 2 Hohenstaufengasse 9 1.Stock)
  • Thursday 25.10. 16:30 - 18:00 (Seminarraum 2 Hohenstaufengasse 9 1.Stock)
  • Thursday 08.11. 16:30 - 18:00 (Seminarraum 2 Hohenstaufengasse 9 1.Stock)
  • Thursday 15.11. 16:30 - 18:00 (Seminarraum 2 Hohenstaufengasse 9 1.Stock)
  • Thursday 22.11. 16:30 - 18:00 (Seminarraum 2 Hohenstaufengasse 9 1.Stock)
  • Thursday 29.11. 16:30 - 18:00 (Seminarraum 2 Hohenstaufengasse 9 1.Stock)
  • Thursday 06.12. 16:30 - 18:00 (Seminarraum 2 Hohenstaufengasse 9 1.Stock)
  • Thursday 13.12. 16:30 - 18:00 (Seminarraum 2 Hohenstaufengasse 9 1.Stock)
  • Thursday 10.01. 16:30 - 18:00 (Seminarraum 2 Hohenstaufengasse 9 1.Stock)
  • Thursday 17.01. 16:30 - 18:00 (Seminarraum 2 Hohenstaufengasse 9 1.Stock)
  • Thursday 24.01. 16:30 - 18:00 (Seminarraum 2 Hohenstaufengasse 9 1.Stock)
  • Thursday 31.01. 16:30 - 18:00 (Seminarraum 2 Hohenstaufengasse 9 1.Stock)

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

Methods in the philosophy of science, types of explanations, problems of induction and demarcation, epistemological positions as their solutions, performance and evaluation of scientific theories, theories of scientific progress, types of explanations in history, methodological individualism and methodological collectivism, methodological essentialism vs. methodological nominalism, rational explanations of human actions, situational analysis, interpretations vs. scientific theories, inductive processes and the importance of generalisations, observational basis, objectivity and values, novelty, complexity, inaccurate forecasts, social dynamics, historical laws, prophecy in history.
Empirical content of economic theories and models; falsifiability of economic theories and models; rational choice between economic theories, models and explanations; scientific progress in economics; economic theory as justifications of pragmatic actions; piecemeal engineering and holistic planning; interventionism and non-interventionism, the problem of sovereignty; unity of science.

Assessment and permitted materials

Teaching consists in one unbroken 90-minute seminar; students are required to contribute in a lively manner to discussions at all classes. They also are required to present one talk (ca 45 minutes) at one meeting on problems chosen by the student and me. A written seminar paper of about 25 to 30 pages on those problems has to be handed in as well but not by the end of term.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

The aim of this course is to introduce students to the philosophical position of Critical Rationalism, the problems it studies, and the answers it suggests. It aims at introducing students to the wide-ranging problems and controversies which were triggered by that position in the philosophy of science in general and in economics in particular. It tries to provide an understanding of problems such as scientific progress in economics as well as of policy issues in that discipline from the perspective of Critical Rationalism. Diligent students will learn to make sense of and evaluate the historical background, achievements, main criticisms and later developments of the position of Critical Rationalism as well as that position’s influence on and importance for economics.

Examination topics

Reading list

Association in the course directory

Last modified: Mo 07.09.2020 15:29