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Cambridge Journal of Economics 26:27-45 (2002)
Copyright © 2002 Cambridge Political Economy Society

Article

Boylan and O'Gorman's causal holism: a critical realist evaluation

Steve Fleetwood

Lancaster University

Abstract

Boylan and O'Gorman have recently elaborated an interesting new perspective called causal holism, which attempts to go beyond developments in rhetoric and realism. The aim of this paper is to evaluate causal holism from the perspective of critical realism. Emphasis is placed primarily on three areas of disagreement: differential approaches to unobservable entities, description and explanation, although areas of agreement are also considered. The conclusion gives a sketch of what a critical realist/causal holist view of economics might look like.

Key Words: Critical realism • Causal holism • Description • Explanation • Ontology • Epistemology • Unobservable entities


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