Skip Navigation

This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to My Personal Archive
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Dow, S. C.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
Related Collections
Right arrow B31 - Individuals
Right arrow B41 - Economic Methodology
Social Bookmarking
Add to CiteULike   Add to Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us  
What's this?

Copyright © Cambridge Political Economy Society

research-article

The appeal of neoclassical economics: some insights from Keynes's epistemology

Sheila C. Dow*

*University of Stirling

Abstract

Neoclassical economics continues to hold a particularly strong appeal for economists, in spite of concerns about its internal logic and applicability to policy issues. This appeal can be understood in terms of Keynes's system of logic which established grounds for rational belief when knowledge is, in general, uncertain. Mainstream methodology limits economic theory to those elements of the economic process which can, in practice, be represented by a closed, formal system; a high degree of certainty can be achieved within those limits. Keynes's more general epistemology supports a methodology which can increase knowledge beyond those limits, and thus extend the applicability of economics. If this approach is to be pursued, economics education needs to be broadened.

Manuscript received April 6, 1992; final version received December 10, 1993.


Add to CiteULike CiteULike   Add to Connotea Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us Del.icio.us    What's this?




Disclaimer: Please note that abstracts for content published before 1996 were created through digital scanning and may therefore not exactly replicate the text of the original print issues. All efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, but the Publisher will not be held responsible for any remaining inaccuracies. If you require any further clarification, please contact our Customer Services Department.