Universität Wien
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040066 SE Philosophy-Politics-Economics (2018S)

Epistemological and Methodological Positions in Economics

4.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 4 - Wirtschaftswissenschaften
Continuous assessment of course work

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 25 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Monday 05.03. 16:45 - 18:15 Seminarraum 15 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 3.Stock
  • Monday 19.03. 16:45 - 18:15 Seminarraum 15 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 3.Stock
  • Monday 09.04. 16:45 - 18:15 Seminarraum 15 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 3.Stock
  • Monday 16.04. 16:45 - 18:15 Seminarraum 15 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 3.Stock
  • Monday 23.04. 16:45 - 18:15 Seminarraum 15 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 3.Stock
  • Monday 30.04. 16:45 - 18:15 Seminarraum 15 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 3.Stock
  • Monday 07.05. 16:45 - 18:15 Seminarraum 15 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 3.Stock
  • Monday 14.05. 16:45 - 18:15 Seminarraum 15 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 3.Stock
  • Monday 28.05. 16:45 - 18:15 Seminarraum 15 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 3.Stock
  • Monday 04.06. 16:45 - 18:15 Seminarraum 15 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 3.Stock
  • Monday 11.06. 16:45 - 18:15 Seminarraum 15 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 3.Stock
  • Monday 18.06. 16:45 - 18:15 Seminarraum 15 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 3.Stock
  • Monday 25.06. 16:45 - 18:15 Seminarraum 15 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 3.Stock

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

Aims and Content
The aim of this course is to introduce students to the wide-ranging problems and controversies in the philosophy of economics and the social sciences in general. Special emphasis will be placed on problems regarding the epistemological and methodological status of social and economic theories. Economists such as G. Hufeland , J.S. Mill, S.W. Jevons, J.N. Keynes, R. F. Harrod, W. Roscher, B. Hildebrand, M. Weber, C. Menger, J.A. Schumpeter, L.v. Mises, F.A. v. Hayek, O. Neurath, J. M. Keynes, G. Myrdal, Friedman and others frequently not only developed economic theories but authored epistemological and methodological investigations. This course scrutinizes the epistemological positions defended by economists and by rationally reconstructing their economic theories attempts to establish relations between their epistemological positions and their economic theories. Diligent students will learn to make sense of and evaluate the historical background, achievements, main criticisms and developments of those controversies which still cover much ground in contemporary discussions.
Method
Teaching consists in one unbroken 90-minute seminar. Language of instruction is English, though German is welcome as well; participants have to prepare texts on the basis of questions distributed in advance of every meeting. On that basis texts will be discussed at the different meetings.

Assessment and permitted materials

Requirements
Students have to produce one substantial talk (about 30 min) on the basis of texts and questions distributed in advance of every meeting. Answers to questions have to be handed in, in writing. They also have to attend the seminar on a regular basis and contribute in a lively manner to discussions at all classes.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Evaluation and Rewards
In order to complete that course successfully students are required to produce one substantial talk to discuss all questions in writing and to contribute in a lively manner to discussions at all classes. The quality of answers will be evaluated on the basis of completeness, clarity of argument, logical reasoning and precision. Answers have to be formulated in complete sentences and are not acceptable if stated in keywords only.

Examination topics

Areas of Examinations
Problem situations, problems and solutions discussed in the course.

Reading list

Principal Reading
Karl R. Popper, The Logic of Scientific Discovery, Hutchinson, London 1959 (first English edition; later editions are published by Routledge); secs: 12- 18; 1 - 11; any edition;
Karl R. Popper, The Two Fundamental Problems of the Theory of Knowledge, Routledge, London 2011, chaps I, II, III; Karl R. Popper, The Poverty of Historicism, Routledge Kegan & Paul, London 1957 (first English edition; later editions are published by Routledge) any edition; Part I, Part II. Special Texts from the works by Hufeland , Mill, Jevons, J.N. Keynes, Harrod, Roscher, Hildebrand, Schmoller, Weber, Menger, Schumpeter, Mises, Hayek, Neurath, J. M. Keynes, Myrdal, Friedman and others.

Association in the course directory

Last modified: Mo 07.09.2020 15:28