Course Homepage: Philosophical Issues in Economics

(King’s Chapel,
Philosophical Issues
in Economics was the most meaningful course for us – a bunch of (2004-2005)
MPhil students in the Faculty of Economics,
and Development Studies Committee
at the University of Cambridge. So,
we decided to make that course material more widely available; for even if
others may not share our experience, they would have the opportunity to access
this information.
The instructor’s –
Dr. J. G T Meeks’ – sheer enthusiasm and passionate interest made the lectures
and discussions stimulating. Stimulating how? Simply put: we were
required to think!


D’oh!
What use is that? Well, if that’s what you consider, then you’ll never
get it: remember Dumbledore’s,
wisely cast, spell in the Sorcerer’s
Stone…Only those who wish to find it – find it, but not use it – would be able to get it! But we may all
be Utilitarians
after all!
When it comes to
use, economists would benefit from examining the philosophical foundations of
their discipline, which, sadly to say, most take for granted at present…Such an
examination may make their discipline more robust…Philosophers would understand
how economists view the world, as would non-economist practitioners and
theorists of development…In general, the method of economics and its substance
– epistemology and ontology, to use fancy terms –
may be viewed more clearly, after taking this course…At least you’ll be able to
talk to those who practice and profess the most dismal of sciences after taking
the course…Perhaps, you may even be able to judge their hermeneutic
acrobatics…Appreciate their excellence and wonder at how many manage to break
their ‘intellectual backs’ so soon…Tragic and, in most cases, pathetic…
Don’t even try to
entertain the thought that all this is bollocks! If you think
it is, then…
(Disclaimer: Neither the
We remain indebted to the instructor for most of the material provided on this
website.
Any violations, which may have unknowingly occurred on this website, are our
fault entirely. Please contact us if you
believe any violations have occurred.)