Lawrence A Boland
Biographic Data
| ID | 3605606 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Lawrence A Boland |
| GIVEN NAMES | Lawrence A |
| FAMILY NAME | Boland |
| SIGNATURE | BOLAND L A |
| AFFILIATIONS | Simon Fraser University |
| VERIFIED | No |
| TOTAL WORKS | 23 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 19 |
| WORKS AS AUTHOR | 23 |
| WORKS AS EDITOR | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 1970 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2019 |
| H-INDEX | 3 |
On Economic Methodology Literature from 1963 to Today
Econometrics and equilibrium models
In Rational Econometric Man, Edward Nell and Karim Errouaki present a welcome and timely case for the view that econometrics and econometric model-building may not be the magic tools to solve all empirical questions despite what many seem to have thought they were in the 1960s. Here I examine some possible problems with econometric models that have to do with their usually taking the form of equilibrium models. Some of these problems were recogni…
The Elgar Companion to Recent Economic Methodology
Book Review| September 01 2013 The Elgar Companion to Recent Economic Methodology The Elgar Companion to Recent Economic Methodology. Edited by Davis, John B.; Hands, D. Wade. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar, 2011. 242 pp. Hardback$260.00. Lawrence A. Boland, FRSC Lawrence A. Boland, FRSC Search for other works by this author on: This Site Google History of Political Economy (2013) 45 (3): 551–553. https://doi.org/10.1215/00182702-2334803 Cite Icon Cite…
Individuals and Identity in Economics
Book Review| November 01 2012 Individuals and Identity in Economics Individuals and Identity in Economics. By Davis, John B.. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2011. 260 pp. Cloth$90.00; paper$32.99. Lawrence Boland Lawrence Boland Search for other works by this author on: This Site Google History of Political Economy (2012) 44 (4): 691–693. https://doi.org/10.1215/00182702-1811388 Cite Icon Cite Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Ma…
Cartwright on “Economics”
Nancy Cartwright claims that “Causality is a hot topic today both in philosophy and economics.” She may be right about philosophers, but not when it comes to economists. Cartwright talks about “economics” but nothing she says about it corresponds to what is taught in economics classes. Today, economics is dominated by model builders—but not all models involve econometrics. While all model builders do respect an endogenous-exogenous distinction be…
On Reviewing Machine Dreams
Philip Mirowski’s recent book Machine Dreams: Economics Becomes a Cyborg Science continues to receive many reviews. Judging by recent reviews, this is a very controversial book. The question considered here is, how can one fairly review a controversial book—particularly when the book is widely popular and, for a history of economic thought book, a best seller? This essay uses Mirowski’s book as a case study to propose one answer for this question…
Dealing with Popper in Economic Methodology
Knowledge in economics
Situational Analysis beyond Neoclassical Economists
Until quite recently, some economic methodologists (particularly, those who began their careers in the late 1970s) were of the opinion that Karl Popper was misguided about economics. Some others claimed that Popper said little about economics. Yet, many economics students who began their appreciation of Popper after reading his Open Society and Its Enemies have quickly realized how easy that book is to understand because it is a generalization of…
Critical economic methodology
Economic methodologists frequently complain that they are ignored by the mainstream. Practicing economists claim that methodology has nothing useful to say to them. In this typically provocative book, Lawrence Boland takes issue with both sides, arguing that there has been too much 'methodology for methodology's sake' and that mainstream economics might benefit by using methodology to take a critical look at economics theory. Containing twenty es…
Style vs. Substance in Economic Methodology
Why Does Methodology Matter for Economics
In the context of reviewing some of the important recent literature on the methodology of economics, this article argues for the continuity of economics, economic methodology, and philosophy, against the proposition maintained by some so-called pragmatists and the rhetoric program that economics is sui generis and should be immune to criticism rooted in related disciplines. It is argued that since methodological considerations are unavoidable, ef…
Methodology for a New Microeconomics
A Methodology for a New Microeconomics
On the Relevance of Neo-Walrasian Economic Theory
Neo-Walrasian economic theory
Neoclassical political economy
Other| March 01 1987 Neoclassical political economy: the analysis of rent-seeking and DUP activities David C. Colander. Cambridge, Mass. Ballinger Publishing Co., 1984. Pp. xv, 240, bibliography, index. Lawrence A. Boland Lawrence A. Boland Search for other works by this author on: This Site Google History of Political Economy (1987) 19 (1): 163–164. https://doi.org/10.1215/00182702-19-1-163 Cite Icon Cite Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter Linked…
Methodology for a New Microeconomics
This book offers a critical examination of the neoclassical model which typically fails to include an explicit stability analysis. The author demonstrates that much of the sophisticated theoretical literature over the last thirty years can be understood as ad hoc attempts to overcome the deficiencies of models that are limited by the absence of stability analysis. At the end of the book the author explains what we must do to update undergraduate …
Neoclassical vs. Classical Economic Models
On the Best Strategy for Doing Philosophy of Economics
Nicholas Georgescu-Roegen. The entropy law and the economic process . Cambridge
An abstract is not available for this content so a preview has been provided. Please use the Get access link above for information on how to access this content
V—An Institutional Theory of Economic Technology and Change
Methodology as an Exercise in Economic Analysis
An abstract is not available for this content so a preview has been provided. Please use the Get access link above for information on how to access this content
Conventionalism and Economic Theory
Roughly speaking all economists can be divided into two groups—those who agree with Milton Friedman and those who do not. Both groups, however, espouse the view that science is a series of approximations to a demonstrated accord with reality. Methodological controversy in economics is now merely a Conventionalist argument over which comes first—simplicity or generality. Furthermore, this controversy in its current form is not compatible with one …
Methodology as an Exercise in Economic Analysis
An abstract is not available for this content so a preview has been provided. Please use the Get access link above for information on how to access this content
Individuals and Identity in Economics
Book Review| November 01 2012 Individuals and Identity in Economics Individuals and Identity in Economics. By Davis, John B.. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2011. 260 pp. Cloth$90.00; paper$32.99. Lawrence Boland Lawrence Boland Search for other works by this author on: This Site Google History of Political Economy (2012) 44 (4): 691–693. https://doi.org/10.1215/00182702-1811388 Cite Icon Cite Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Ma…
Why Does Methodology Matter for Economics
In the context of reviewing some of the important recent literature on the methodology of economics, this article argues for the continuity of economics, economic methodology, and philosophy, against the proposition maintained by some so-called pragmatists and the rhetoric program that economics is sui generis and should be immune to criticism rooted in related disciplines. It is argued that since methodological considerations are unavoidable, ef…
Conventionalism and Economic Theory
Roughly speaking all economists can be divided into two groups—those who agree with Milton Friedman and those who do not. Both groups, however, espouse the view that science is a series of approximations to a demonstrated accord with reality. Methodological controversy in economics is now merely a Conventionalist argument over which comes first—simplicity or generality. Furthermore, this controversy in its current form is not compatible with one …
Situational Analysis beyond Neoclassical Economists
Until quite recently, some economic methodologists (particularly, those who began their careers in the late 1970s) were of the opinion that Karl Popper was misguided about economics. Some others claimed that Popper said little about economics. Yet, many economics students who began their appreciation of Popper after reading his Open Society and Its Enemies have quickly realized how easy that book is to understand because it is a generalization of…
Cartwright on “Economics”
Nancy Cartwright claims that “Causality is a hot topic today both in philosophy and economics.” She may be right about philosophers, but not when it comes to economists. Cartwright talks about “economics” but nothing she says about it corresponds to what is taught in economics classes. Today, economics is dominated by model builders—but not all models involve econometrics. While all model builders do respect an endogenous-exogenous distinction be…
Methodology for a New Microeconomics
This book offers a critical examination of the neoclassical model which typically fails to include an explicit stability analysis. The author demonstrates that much of the sophisticated theoretical literature over the last thirty years can be understood as ad hoc attempts to overcome the deficiencies of models that are limited by the absence of stability analysis. At the end of the book the author explains what we must do to update undergraduate …
Conventionalism and Economic Theory
Roughly speaking all economists can be divided into two groups—those who agree with Milton Friedman and those who do not. Both groups, however, espouse the view that science is a series of approximations to a demonstrated accord with reality. Methodological controversy in economics is now merely a Conventionalist argument over which comes first—simplicity or generality. Furthermore, this controversy in its current form is not compatible with one …
V—An Institutional Theory of Economic Technology and Change
Methodology as an Exercise in Economic Analysis
An abstract is not available for this content so a preview has been provided. Please use the Get access link above for information on how to access this content
Nicholas Georgescu-Roegen. The entropy law and the economic process . Cambridge
An abstract is not available for this content so a preview has been provided. Please use the Get access link above for information on how to access this content
On the Best Strategy for Doing Philosophy of Economics
Neoclassical vs. Classical Economic Models
Methodology for a New Microeconomics
This book offers a critical examination of the neoclassical model which typically fails to include an explicit stability analysis. The author demonstrates that much of the sophisticated theoretical literature over the last thirty years can be understood as ad hoc attempts to overcome the deficiencies of models that are limited by the absence of stability analysis. At the end of the book the author explains what we must do to update undergraduate …
A Methodology for a New Microeconomics
On the Relevance of Neo-Walrasian Economic Theory
Neo-Walrasian economic theory
Neoclassical political economy
Other| March 01 1987 Neoclassical political economy: the analysis of rent-seeking and DUP activities David C. Colander. Cambridge, Mass. Ballinger Publishing Co., 1984. Pp. xv, 240, bibliography, index. Lawrence A. Boland Lawrence A. Boland Search for other works by this author on: This Site Google History of Political Economy (1987) 19 (1): 163–164. https://doi.org/10.1215/00182702-19-1-163 Cite Icon Cite Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter Linked…
Methodology for a New Microeconomics
Style vs. Substance in Economic Methodology
Why Does Methodology Matter for Economics
In the context of reviewing some of the important recent literature on the methodology of economics, this article argues for the continuity of economics, economic methodology, and philosophy, against the proposition maintained by some so-called pragmatists and the rhetoric program that economics is sui generis and should be immune to criticism rooted in related disciplines. It is argued that since methodological considerations are unavoidable, ef…
Critical economic methodology
Economic methodologists frequently complain that they are ignored by the mainstream. Practicing economists claim that methodology has nothing useful to say to them. In this typically provocative book, Lawrence Boland takes issue with both sides, arguing that there has been too much 'methodology for methodology's sake' and that mainstream economics might benefit by using methodology to take a critical look at economics theory. Containing twenty es…
Knowledge in economics
Situational Analysis beyond Neoclassical Economists
Until quite recently, some economic methodologists (particularly, those who began their careers in the late 1970s) were of the opinion that Karl Popper was misguided about economics. Some others claimed that Popper said little about economics. Yet, many economics students who began their appreciation of Popper after reading his Open Society and Its Enemies have quickly realized how easy that book is to understand because it is a generalization of…
Dealing with Popper in Economic Methodology
On Reviewing Machine Dreams
Philip Mirowski’s recent book Machine Dreams: Economics Becomes a Cyborg Science continues to receive many reviews. Judging by recent reviews, this is a very controversial book. The question considered here is, how can one fairly review a controversial book—particularly when the book is widely popular and, for a history of economic thought book, a best seller? This essay uses Mirowski’s book as a case study to propose one answer for this question…
Cartwright on “Economics”
Nancy Cartwright claims that “Causality is a hot topic today both in philosophy and economics.” She may be right about philosophers, but not when it comes to economists. Cartwright talks about “economics” but nothing she says about it corresponds to what is taught in economics classes. Today, economics is dominated by model builders—but not all models involve econometrics. While all model builders do respect an endogenous-exogenous distinction be…
Individuals and Identity in Economics
Book Review| November 01 2012 Individuals and Identity in Economics Individuals and Identity in Economics. By Davis, John B.. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2011. 260 pp. Cloth$90.00; paper$32.99. Lawrence Boland Lawrence Boland Search for other works by this author on: This Site Google History of Political Economy (2012) 44 (4): 691–693. https://doi.org/10.1215/00182702-1811388 Cite Icon Cite Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Ma…
The Elgar Companion to Recent Economic Methodology
Book Review| September 01 2013 The Elgar Companion to Recent Economic Methodology The Elgar Companion to Recent Economic Methodology. Edited by Davis, John B.; Hands, D. Wade. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar, 2011. 242 pp. Hardback$260.00. Lawrence A. Boland, FRSC Lawrence A. Boland, FRSC Search for other works by this author on: This Site Google History of Political Economy (2013) 45 (3): 551–553. https://doi.org/10.1215/00182702-2334803 Cite Icon Cite…
Econometrics and equilibrium models
In Rational Econometric Man, Edward Nell and Karim Errouaki present a welcome and timely case for the view that econometrics and econometric model-building may not be the magic tools to solve all empirical questions despite what many seem to have thought they were in the 1960s. Here I examine some possible problems with econometric models that have to do with their usually taking the form of equilibrium models. Some of these problems were recogni…
On Economic Methodology Literature from 1963 to Today
Economic Theory and Institutions (18 works) · Economics (16 works) · Computer Science (10 works) · Epistemology (9 works) · Philosophy (9 works) · Sociology (9 works) · Mathematical economics (8 works) · Neoclassical economics (8 works) · Positive economics (8 works) · Economic theories and models (6 works)