Towards a unity of sense: A critical analysis of the concept of relation in methodological individualism and holism in Economics

Giancarlo Ianulardo () and Aldo Stella ()
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Giancarlo Ianulardo: University of Exeter, Exeter (UK)
Aldo Stella: Università per Stranieri di Perugia (Italy); Università degli Studi di Perugia (Italy)

The Journal of Philosophical Economics, 2022, vol. 15, issue 1, 196-226

Abstract: In social sciences and, in particular, in economics the debate on the most adequate model of explanation of social phenomena has been centred around two models: Methodological Individualism and Holism. While Methodological Individualism claims to be the most rigorous attempt to explain social phenomena by reducing them to their ultimate components, Holism stresses the primacy of the social relation, outside of which individuals cannot be understood as analytical units. In the analysis, we will refer to the way the debate has influenced economics education too through the debate on microfoundations and the role of individual preferences. In synthesis, we aim to show that the two explanatory models, rather than being opposed, need to be integrated, because they need each other. But for this to be done, we need to reflect on the role that the concept of “relation” plays in our understanding of the social structure and of the dynamics that characterises it. Indeed, the holistic-systemic model, though privileging the relation, must acknowledge that the relation needs some ultimate elements (the individuals), which in turn are prioritised by methodological individualism. But these entities, the individuals, in order to be what they are, i.e., each a determinate identity, need each to be referred to other individuals, which are essential to determine the single determinate identity. This means that each individual needs the relation. To prevent a circular explanation, we claim that a correct methodology should understand both the individual and society in the light of the unity of sense that emerges at the end of the process, rather than focusing on its starting point.

Keywords: Methodological Individualism; holism; systemism; relation; unity; [SHS.PHIL]Humanities and Social Sciences/Philosophy; [SHS.ECO]Humanities and Social Sciences/Economics and Finance (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: B40 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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