An examination of the foundations of contemporary theoretical economics. Applying concepts from model theory - formal semantics - and standard tools in foundations research the author aims three targets, namely, a characterization of the notion 'empirical economic theory', the determination of the epistemological and methodological status of an important class of 'non-empirical' theories in economics, and the proposal of a taxonomy of economic theories based upon intended epistemological status and the descriptive or operative function of a theory.

Autorentext

ERWIN KLEIN

Inhalt
Preface - PART 1: INTRODUCTION - Overview - Model-Theoretic Toolkit - Theoretical Economics - PART 2: A TAXONOMY OF ECONOMIC THEORIES - A Taxonomy of Economic Theories Based Upon Intended Epistemological Status and Pragmatic Function - A Taxonomy of Economic Theories: Application - PART 3: EMPIRICAL ECONOMIC THEORIES - General Characterization - Representational Theories and Theoretical Systems (I): Basic or General Theory and General-Class Theory - Representational Theories and Theoretical Systems (II): Special-Class Theory and Data-Specific Theory - Phenomenological Theories and Theoretical Systems (I): Generic and Data-Specific Theory - Phenomenological Theories and Theoretical Systems (II): Data-Contingent Theory - PART 4: NON-INTENDEDLY EMPIRICAL ECONOMIC THEORIES - Methodology of Non-Experimental Economic Research (I): On the Foundations of Non-Intendedly Empirical Theories - Methodology of Non-Experimental Economic Research (II): Cognitive Functions of Non-Intendedly Empirical Theories - Bibliography - Notation Index - Author Index - Subject Index