The Nature of the Economy : Aristotelian Essays on the Philosophy and Epistemology of Economics

This book explores the deep meaning-the nature or essence-of the economy and its fundamental components. As a monograph on the philosophy of the economy and economics, it deduces the metaphysical nature of these two, going step by step from more general to more specific realities to finally arrive at the adequate features of the economic sciences and their methods. It builds on a largely Aristotelian approach, but also draws extensively from modern scholarship in the area. Usefully and pertinently, the book covers both general aspects of the economy and particular historically specific features. Among the important topics covered in the book are the meanings of the economy, the nature and role of economic agents, the nature of the macroeconomy, the nature and role of money, and so on. The book concludes with chapters on the nature of economics itself and its methodologies. Ricardo F. Crespo is Professor of Philosophy of Economics at IAE, Universidad Austral, and Researcher at the Argentine Council of Scientific Research. He is a graduate in economics and philosophy and earned a Ph. D. in Philosophy (Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Argentina) and another in Economics (University of Amsterdam). He has extensively published articles and chapter books on his research topics. Recent publications of him include articles in Synthese, the Journal of Institutional Economics, Foundations of Science, Cambridge Journal of Economics, and the Journal of Applied Economics. His last book is The Nature and Method of Economic Sciences. Evidence, Causality, and Ends (Routledge, London, 2020). His current research interests include explanation in the social sciences, economic rationality, and ethics in economics Preface Contents About the Author 1 Introduction: Does Economics Deal with the Economic Stuff? Or Is the Economic Stuff Explained by Economics? References 2 Metaphysics, Ontology, and Metaphysical Theories Two Metaphysical Theories The Categories of Being, Representationalism, and the Economy Metaphysical Knowledge What Is the Matter for Economics? References 3 Metaphysical Categories The Aristotelian Categories of Being Nancy Cartwright’s Categories Tony Lawson’s Categories Uskali Mäki’s Categories Conclusion References 4 The Metaphysics and Ontology of the Economy The Metaphysics of the Economy Two Meanings of the Economy Aristotle on the Economy Cartwright on the Economy Lawson on the Economy Mäki on the Economy Conclusion: The Nature of the Economy The Ontology of the Economy References 5 The Identity of the Economic Agent A Notion of Economics and Requirements for a Corresponding Concept of Identity On Personal Identity Complex Theories and Their Criticism Simple Theories of Identity The Identity of the Economic Agent Conclusion References 6 The Human Person as Worker Praxis-Agere and Poiesis-Facere Why Do I Work? Conclusion References 7 The Metaphysics of Social Collectives Dictionary Definitions of Social Collectives Aristotle on Social Metaphysics On the Action of the Whole Some Contemporary Connections Conclusion References 8 On the Relation Between Micro- and Macroeconomic “Entities”: A Philosophical Approach Micro- and Macroeconomics Microfoundations and the Representative Agent The Ontological Nature of Macroeconomic Entities Supervenience Emergence Keynes on the Economy Aristotle on Wholes and Parts Conclusion References 9 On the Nature of Money Aristotle on Money Money as a Unit of Measurement A Conventional Sign Money as a Sign Conclusion References 10 Economic Sciences Previous Ideas on the Nature and Method of Economic Sciences Aristotle on Economic Science Cartwright on Economic Science Lawson on Economic Science Mäki on Economic Science Conclusions References 11 Conclusions References Index "This book explores the deep meaning--the nature or essence--of the economy and its fundamental components. As a monograph on the philosophy of the economy and economics, it deduces the metaphysical nature of these two, going step by step from more general to more specific realities to finally arrive at the adequate features of the economic sciences and their methods. It builds on a largely Aristotelian approach, but also draws extensively from modern scholarship in the area. Usefully and pertinently, the book covers both general aspects of the economy and particular historically specific features. Among the important topics covered in the book are the meanings of the economy, the nature and role of economic agents, the nature of the macroeconomy, the nature and role of money, and so on. The book concludes with chapters on the nature of economics itself and its methodologies."-- Provided by publisher