A Realist Perspective on Contemporary "Economic Theory" (Foreword by O. Ananyin)

2006 ◽  
pp. 75-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Lawson
Keyword(s):  
Economic Theory ◽  
Life Events ◽  
Alternative Model ◽  
Economic Life ◽  
Social Phenomenon ◽  
Methodological Issues ◽  
Neoclassical Theory ◽  
Fundamental Feature ◽  
Major Powers ◽  
Realist Perspective

The author elaborates on methodological issues of current tendencies in neoclassical theory and demonstrates the necessity of an alternative model of science, which he calls "realist". According to this perspective, constant and regular conjunctions of economic life events should not be the main object of analysis. Rather, the author proposes to consider structures and mechanisms governing events in question. Instead of deductivism, which, as Lawson believes, is a fundamental feature of orthodox economics, the abductive method of economic explanation is proposed that entails investigation of major powers, on which any social phenomenon depends. Society is thereby regarded not as a closed, but rather as an open system.

What's Wrong with the Theory of Racial Inequality: Toward a More Effective Theory of Racial Inequality in Economic Life

1993 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 25-40
Author(s):  
David H. Swinton
Keyword(s):  
Economic Theory ◽  
Alternative Model ◽  
Racial Inequality ◽  
Racial Difference ◽  
Economic Life ◽  
Effective Theory ◽  
Conventional Theory ◽  
Economic Theories ◽  
Over Time

Explaining or resolving the apparent incompatibility between traditional economic theory and the persistence of racial inequality or discrimination in economic life has been the most significant motivation for conventional studies of race and economics. The conventional theory that resulted from this interest, however, has been of limited utility in advancing understanding of racial inequality in economic life. This essay discusses an alternative to the conventional theory that is intended to facilitate a better understanding of racial inequality. It is also designed to provide a more effective tool for the evaluation and design of policy. The alternative model takes the existence of racially distinct groups and initial racial difference in the ownership of resources as given and exogenous. It is specified in a manner that allows the evolution of racial inequality over time to be explained. The structure of the model responds to challenges posed by Robert S. Browne to develop viable economic theories useful in the study of the interaction of race and economics.

The Model of Bounded Rationality: a New Methodological Tool of Economic Theory

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maya Tsoklinova
Keyword(s):  
Economic Theory ◽  
Bounded Rationality ◽  
Neoclassical Theory ◽  
Economic Agents ◽  
Market Participants ◽  
Model Research ◽  
Methodological Tool ◽  
The Moment ◽  
Rational Behaviour ◽  
Empirical Material

The main purpose of this article is to study and analyze the economic behaviour of market participants in real conditions, and to outline the very natural trait of individuals to show bounded rationality. The theoretical framework of bounded rationality is presented, and a comparative analysis is carried out between the neoclassical theory of rational behaviour and the concept of quasi-rational economic agents according to behavioural economics. Special emphasis is placed on the correlation between the decisionmaking process and the concept of limited rationality. This article confirms the thesis that the model of the rational economic individual is not the best model. Research in this area proves that this model has great imperfections, but, at the moment, the empirical material is still not enough to create another, newer and practically applicable model of behaviour of the real economic person, which is characterized by bounded rationality.

La sociologie de la religion en Grèce

1975 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-17
Author(s):  
Anastase Tzanimis
Keyword(s):  
Sociology Of Religion ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Economic Life ◽  
Social Phenomenon ◽  
Research Projects ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Scientific Results ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Theological Thought

Sociology of religion has not developed in Greece as it has in the western countries. It is not easy to determine the reasons for the scarcity of studies and research projects con cerning sociology of religion. In fact, neither religion, taken as a universal social phenomenon, nor orthodox theological thought and its application to the individual and to the social, political and economic life of the Greek people have been sufficiently studied from a sociological point of view. Con temporary Greek sociologists have only touched on the subject of religion. Some effort has been made during the last decade by young Greek theologians to properly establish and develop the science of sociology of religion. This effort, however, has, so far, not brought about the anticipated scientific results. Moreover, it has failed to gain the confidence and acknow ledgement in theological and ecclesiastical circles where socio logy as a science is still generally regarded with much re servation. It should be noted that the development of sociology of religion in Greece was first prompted by various Christian — social movements for the purpose of opposing several anti- Christian ideological movements which have appeared since the beginning of our century.

Life is not chess: Towards a dynamic theory on altruism

2020 ◽  
pp. 1354067X2095755
Author(s):  
Zarak Ahmed
Keyword(s):  
Economic Theory ◽  
Human Nature ◽  
Alternative Model ◽  
Cultural Psychology ◽  
Dynamic Theory ◽  
Grounded Cognition ◽  
Human Being ◽  
Everyday Lives ◽  
Economic View

Economic theory propagates a model of the human being commonly known as homoeconomicus; an individual with a rational orientation directed towards maximizing his/her preferences. However, our everyday lives involve many altruistic acts. These can range from small gestures of kindness such as holding a door open for another person, to heroic feats such as risking one's life to save a child from drowning. During our lives we also meet certain people that instantly induce our kindness. Our nicety in these moments is not based on a pursuit to optimize our material desires. Rather, we allow our feelings and intuitions to guide the course of our actions. How do we reconcile these experiences against the economic conception of human nature as inherently selfish? Addressing this contradiction, the paper will deconstruct the economic view and repositioning it as the product of an epistemological stance that distorts our view of altruism. An alternative model on altruism will then be developed by merging anthropological theories on value with insights from cultural psychology and grounded cognition. Through this process, a passage will be shown from static and universalizing perspective towards an emergent and dynamic theory on altruism.

The Role of Religious Ideas and the Use of Models in Max Weber's Comparative Studies of Non-Capitalist Societies

1970 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 74-99 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Stephen Warner
Keyword(s):  
Economic Theory ◽  
Political Science ◽  
Comparative Studies ◽  
Max Weber ◽  
Historical Sociology ◽  
Economic Life ◽  
Classical Economic ◽  
Use Of Models ◽  
Significant Question

The theme of this conference, “The Organizational Forms of Economic Life and Their Evolution,” implies a concern for specifying the limits of the applicability of classical and neo-classical economic theory. Presumably because we sociologists have been in the forefront of those who insist on the recognition of these limits, I have been asked to present a paper from the viewpoint of historical sociology. Now I suppose that your field and mine are alike in at least one respect: the infrequency of finding any one view on a broad and significant question. I am sure you will understand, therefore, my concentration on some lessons to be learned from the work of one of the heroes of my discipline, Max Weber (1864–1920). Weber, as you may know, was, among his other titles, a professor of economics and avoided the epithet of “sociologist.” Yet because sociology has changed since his day, largely under his influence, and because he was also a professor of law and of political science, we sociologists have now claimed him. Nevertheless, many of the issues that informed his massive scholarly research were and are issues central to both your field and mine.

Life-events and psychiatric disorders Part 1: some methodological issues

1973 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 74-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. W. Brown ◽  
F. Sklair ◽  
T. O. Harris ◽  
J. L. T. Birley
Keyword(s):  
Measurement Error ◽  
Life Events ◽  
Comparison Group ◽  
Methodological Issues ◽  
Negative Results ◽  
Methodological Procedures ◽  
Psychiatric Conditions ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
Depressive Patients

SynopsisThe paper focuses on recent criticisms of the study of the role of life-events in the onset of psychiatric conditions and suggests that measurement error and bias can be reasonably well controlled by various methodological procedures. Failure to comply with these may be expected, however, to increase rather than decrease the chances of establishing a ‘positive’ resuit. Three further factors to do with the design of studies and the analysis of data are discussed which are likely to mask real differences between patient and comparison group, and which therefore might explain the ‘negative’ results reported in the literature. They concern: (1) the choice of an appropriate comparison group; (2) specification of the length of the period between event and onset; and (3) specification of the event in terms of some measure of severity. Results from two London studies of schizophrenic and depressive patients are presented to illustrate the argument. The studies suggest that life-events do play an important causal role in bringing about both disorders.

scholarly journals Chaos definition and its role in complicated systems’ developement

2018 ◽  
pp. 5-18
Author(s):  
S. SOLODOVNICOV
Keyword(s):  
Economic Theory ◽  
Economic System ◽  
State Regulation ◽  
Economic Life ◽  
Optimal Ratio ◽  
Free Competition ◽  
Full State

Economic theory is required to develop a definite attitude toward free competition. The absolutization of this phenomenon leads to the entropy of the economic system (its death). However, full state regulation of economic life of society will lead to stagnation and degradation. Thus, the problem of determining the optimal ratio of chaos and order in the socio-economic system in order to increase the vitality of society becomes gnoseologically relevant.

Comment on Harry's Discussion of Ceramic Specialization and Agricultural Marginality in the Prehistoric U.S. Southwest

2006 ◽  
Vol 71 (2) ◽  
pp. 397-398
Author(s):  
David A. Phillips
Keyword(s):  
Economic Theory ◽  
Alternative Model

Karen Harry's study indicates that agricultural marginality is an unlikely explanation for ceramic specialization in the prehistoric U.S. Southwest. Economic theory provides an alternative model for the exchange of pottery for food.

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