Economics as an inexact science - Inexactness of the hypothethico-deductive approach

8 important questions on Economics as an inexact science - Inexactness of the hypothethico-deductive approach

What is the main problem with core assumptions?

Core hypothesis are only approximate.

What are the problems of tractability and the need of makign simplifications?

1. Due to the limitations in research time and the increasing complexity, economists only consider the most relevant mechanisms when conceptualizing their theory. This forces the economist to adopt many ceteris paribus clauses and simplifications.

2. Difficult to determine from the beginning of the model construction which variables are relevant.

3. Degree of disaggregation is limited due to mental limits of the model builder.

4. Different models --> problems of consistency and comparability.

What are the problems of testing?

1. Lack of good and consistent databases.
2. Social economic reality changes more rapidly in time than natural processes.
3. Experimental research relatively more difficult for economics.
4. Very difficult to measure preferences and expectations.
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What are the problems of evaluating the hypotheses on the basis of the test results?

1. Allowing many interpretations.
2. Only know that a combination of hypothesis is falsified.

What is a possible solution of the low predictive accuracy of economics?

Sensitivity analysis.

What are the 4 procedural standards that hold for scientific research?

1. Consistency
2. Benevolence
3. Transparancy
4. Independence

What is the trade-off between the adequacy of the economic analysis and several procedural standards?

In order to be relevant, or in order to be adequate or exact, applied researchers often pay a price by limiting the transparency and consistency of the economic analysis.

Merton: the ethos of institutionalized science consists of 4 norms:

- communism
- universalism
- disinterestedness
- organized skepticism

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