040055 SE Historiography of Economic Ideas and Theories of Scientific Progress (MA) (2017W)

Aims:
In this seminar problems regarding the historiography of economic ideas are investigated. Accounts regarding the development of ideas and theories require theoretical points of view from which they are written. Accordingly the histories of economic ideas and theories are written from different positions which, however, frequently remain implicit only. The prime task of this seminar is to examine those positions; and show that they are based on different theories explicating scientific progress which are the result of specific solutions of the problem of induction and demarcation.
Objectives:
Diligent students will learn to make sense and evaluate the historical and philosophical background regarding the different positions from which histories of economic ideas are written by discussing and studying selected passages of different published histories of economic ideas and monographs authored for instance by Kautz, Roscher, Schumpeter, Oncken, Spann, Sombart, Salin, Heimann, Myrdal, Roll, Stark, Heilbroner, Stavenhagen, Blaug, Niehans, Latsis and others.
Method:
Teaching consists in one unbroken 90-minute seminar. At the first 6 meetings (October 4th, 11th,18th, and 25th, and November 8th and 15th) introductory lectures will be provided in order to outline the problem situations, as well as the problems and suggested solutions to be discussed. Reading weeks will start on November 22nd, to be continued by November 22nd and 29th; and by December 06th and 13th. During reading weeks students will meet on an individual basis with me in order to discuss their readings and the structure of their talks. Plenary meetings of the seminar will start again by January 10th. And continue on January 17th, 24th and 31st. At those meetings students will present the talks prepared during reading weeks. Each presentation will be followed by discussions.