Methodologies of positive economics - Paul Samuelson

5 important questions on Methodologies of positive economics - Paul Samuelson

What was Samuelson's critique on Friedmans position regarding unrealism?

In the field of theory, unrealism (inaccuracy even when it helps approximations) is a failure. Samuelson criticized the F-twist of Friedman with his own methodology: descriptivism

What is descriptivism? (Samuelson)

A valid theory equals the complete set of empirically valid consequences, the validity of which must be empirically tested.
Theories cannot give an explanation only descriptions
Descriptions can be used for predictions, but this is not the main point


vb: maximizing utility functions (preferences), cannot be operationalized

What was the problem with induction in this debate?

In order to get explanations (which Samuelson was against), we need laws, but the complete set of consequences of a law are too large to be empirically tested, much less be verified
(Empirically tested theories cannot contain laws)
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What was a difficulty with Samuelson's approach?

In some of his writings, he uses ttheoretical idealizations and simplifications that contain many false empirical implications. This can cause false statements


It cannot be operationalized, which is what Samuelson did want

What is the Revealed preference theory? RPT

If people buy a bundle because of preferences, even when another is cheaper, then they only won't buy the first bundle if this is not available

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