History, philosophy, and methodology of economics 2400-PLSM106B

As far as the philosophy of economics is concerned, we are to focus on such issues during the seminar as:
1. The nature of economic laws – whether they are universal, or context dependent, or are they just statements about tendencies in the economy, etc.
2. Economic models – how to explain using them while they use unrealistic assumptions? What is the difference between models and theories?
3. How economists explain? Is to explain in economics means subsuming facts under the laws? Or, is it just to cite the cause of a given phenomenon? Or, maybe, is it just to describe the mechanism responsible for a given fact?
4. How to model the interplay between micro and macro worlds in economics (the problem of reductionism)?
5. The role of metaphors and language in economics.
6. The limits of economics – the problem of economic expansionism and imperialism.
7. Approaches in comparing economic laws.
8. Economics & reality – between realism and constructivism.

Depending on research interests of participants of this seminar different issues can also be taken into consideration.

Classical themes in the history of economics can also be part of our discussions during the seminar.