Value Freedom' and the Scope of Economic Inquiry: 1. Positivism's Standard View and the Political Economists

Larry Dwyer

American Journal of Economics and Sociology, 1982, vol. 41, issue 2, 159-159

Abstract: Abstract. According to what might well be regarded as the standard view among economic methodologists, the economist qua economist makes no value judgments concerning policy ends and their means of attainment. However, in restricting the proper aims of economic inquiry to epistemic goals only, the proponent of the standard view has neglected to ask why we seek to realize such goals; who needs economic knowledge?; for what?; what are people's fundamental needs, problems? In opposition to the standard view I argue that there is no good reason to exclude the promotion of human welfare, enhancement of the quality of human life, etc., sociologically, psychologically and philosophically defined, as well as analyzed from the viewpoint of economics, as legitimate goals of the economist in his professional capacity.

Date: 1982
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