Complexity and the history of economic thought : perspectives on the history of economic thought : selected papers from the History of Economics Society Conference, 1998

Book Cover; Title; Contents; List of figures; List of contributors; Preface; Introduction; Introduction to complexity and the history of thought; What is complexity?; A thumbnail sketch of the history of thought from a complexity perspective; Specific economists and complexity; Charles Babbage in a complex world; Did Marx know the way to Santa Fe? Reflections on evolution, functionalism, and class consciousness; Complexity in Peirce's economics and philosophy: an exploration of his critique of Simon Newcomb; The premature death of path dependence;This book consists of twelve studies on the issues of complexity and the history of economic thought. The studies relate complexity to the ideas of specific economists such as Adam Smith, Karl Marx, Alfred Marshall and Ragnar Frisch. Recently A New Approach To Science Has Developed. It Is Called The Complexity Approach. A Number Of Researchers, Such As Brian Arthur And Buz Brock, Have Used This Approach To Consider Issues In Economics. This Volume Considers The Complexity Approach To Economics From A History Of Thought And Methodological Perspective. It Finds That The Ideas Underlying Complexity Have Been Around For A Long Time, And That This New Work In Complexity Has Many Precursors In The History Of Economic Thought. The Result Of Looking At The History Of Economic Thought From A Complexity Perspective Not Only Gives Us Additional Insight Into The Complexity Vision, It Also Gives Insight Into The History Of Economic Thought. When That History Is Viewed From A Complexity Perspective, The Rankings Of Past Economists Change. Smith And Hayek Move Up In The Rankings While Ricardo Moves Down.--jacket. Introduction / David Colander -- Pt. I. Introduction To Complexity And The History Of Thought. 1. What Is Complexity? / James Wible. 2. A Thumbnail Sketch Of The History Of Thought From A Complexity Perspective / David Colander -- Pt. Ii. Specific Economists And Complexity. 3. Charles Babbage In A Complex World / Nathan Rosenberg. 4. Did Marx Know The Way To Santa Fe? Reflections On Evolution, Functionalism, And Class Consciousness / Peter Hans Matthews. 5. Complexity In Peirce's Economics And Philosophy: An Exploration Of His Critique Of Simon Newcomb / James Wible. 6. The Premature Death Of Path Dependence / David M. Levy. 7. Complexity, Chaos, Or Randomness: Ragnar Frisch And The Enigma Of The Lost Manuscript / Francisco Louca. Edited By David Colander. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Annotation A new approach to science has recently developed. It is called the complexity approach. A number of researchers, such as Brian Arthur and Buz Brock, have used this approach to consider issues in economics. This volume considers the complexity approach to economics from a history of thought and methodological perspectives. It finds that the ideas underlying complexity have been around for a long time, and that this new work in complexity has many precursors in the history of economic thought. This book consists of twelve studies on the issue of complexity and the history of economic thought. The studies relate complexity to the ideas of specific economists such as Adam Smith, Karl Marx, Alfred Marshall and Ragnar Frisch, as well as to specific schools of thought such as the Austrian and Institutionalist schools. The result of looking a the history of economic thought from a complexity perspective not only gives us additional insight into the complexity vision, it also gives insight into the history of economic thought. When that history is viewed from a complexity perspective, the rankings of past economists change. Smith and Hayek move up in the rankings while Ricardo moves down Book Cover Title Contents List of figures List of contributors Preface Introduction Introduction to complexity and the history of thought What is complexity? A thumbnail sketch of the history of thought from a complexity perspective Specific economists and complexity Charles Babbage in a complex world Did Marx know the way to Santa Fe? Reflections on evolution, functionalism, and class consciousness Complexity in Peirce's economics and philosophy: an exploration of his critique of Simon Newcomb The premature death of path dependence Complexity, chaos, or randomness: Ragnar Frisch and the enigma of the lost manuscriptBroader views on complexity Will complexity turn economics into sociology? Marshall and the role of common sense in complex systems Competition, rationality, and complexity in economics and biology Alternative perspectives on complexity Complexity and economic method: an institutionalist perspective Complexity theory: an Austrian perspective Index