Of Positivism and the History of Economic Thought

Economic Research Initiatives at Duke (ERID) Working Paper No. 2198547

Duke University Center for History of Political Economy (CHOPE) Working Paper No. 2012-09

39 Pages Posted: 10 Jan 2013

See all articles by Bruce Caldwell

Bruce Caldwell

Duke University - Department of Economics

Date Written: November 1, 2012

Abstract

The rhetoric of positivism had a profound effect on the worldview and practice of economists in the middle of the last century. Though this influence has greatly diminished, it still may be found in the attitude of many economists towards the history of their discipline. This paper traces the effects of positivism in economics, then argues that the history of economics is a critical component of both the undergraduate teaching and the graduate training of economists, and that as such, it should be reintroduced into the economics curriculum. It concludes by documenting some recent hopeful signs of change

Keywords: positivism, history of economic thought, history of economics, economic methodology, undergraduate education, graduate education, Hayek

JEL Classification: A11, A12, A22, A23, B0, B1, B2, B3, B4

Suggested Citation

Caldwell, Bruce J., Of Positivism and the History of Economic Thought (November 1, 2012). Economic Research Initiatives at Duke (ERID) Working Paper No. 2198547, Duke University Center for History of Political Economy (CHOPE) Working Paper No. 2012-09, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2198547 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2198547

Bruce J. Caldwell (Contact Author)

Duke University - Department of Economics ( email )

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