Uncertainty in Economics: A New Approach by Julia K?hn (English) Hardcover Book

Publisher Description

In this book the author develops a new approach to uncertainty in economics, which calls for a fundamental change in the methodology of economics. It provides a comprehensive overview and critical appraisal of the economic theory of uncertainty and shows that uncertainty was originally conceptualized both as an epistemic and an ontological problem. As a result of the economic professions' attempt to become acknowledged as a science, the more problematic aspect of ontological uncertainty has been neglected and the subjective probability approach to uncertainty became dominant in economic theory. A careful analysis of ontological theories of uncertainty explains the blindness of modern economics to economic phenomena such as instability, slumps or excessive booms. Based on these findings the author develops a new approach that legitimizes a New Uncertainty Paradigm in economics.

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In this book the author develops a new approach to uncertainty in economics, which calls for a fundamental change in the methodology of economics. It provides a comprehensive overview and critical appraisal of the economic theory of uncertainty and shows that uncertainty was originally conceptualized both as an epistemic and an ontological problem. As a result of the economic professions' attempt to become acknowledged as a science, the more problematic aspect of ontological uncertainty has been neglected and the subjective probability approach to uncertainty became dominant in economic theory. A careful analysis of ontological theories of uncertainty explains the blindness of modern economics to economic phenomena such as instability, slumps or excessive booms. Based on these findings the author develops a new approach that legitimizes a New Uncertainty Paradigm in economics.

Table of Contents

Part I: Uncertainty in economic thought.- Uncertainty in the history of economic thought.- Truth, probability and uncertainty.- The principles of economics.- Probability and neoclassical uncertainty.- Part II: Philosophies of uncertainty.- The origin of the profit.- Uncertainty and economic instability.-The division of knowledge and unknowledge.-  The nature of economics.- Part III: Methodology of uncertainty.- Extending the boundaries of economics.- Uncertainty and fiction.- Human after all. 

Feature

Develops a completely new approach to uncertainty in economics Discusses comprehensively the problem of uncertainty in economics Analyses the philosophical fundamentals of uncertainty theories

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