Senior, Jevons e Walras: a construção da ortodoxia econômica

Frederico Mathias Mazzucchelli

Revista Economia e Sociedade, 2002, vol. 20, 10

Abstract: This article discusses the intellectual procedures underlying the building of economic orthodoxy. The attempt of Senior, Jevons and Walras to provide ?scientific fundaments? to economic reflection rests on an improper abstraction: the relationship between individual needs and nature?s endowments. Bentham?s ?calculation of pain and pleasure?, Senior?s ?general propositions?, Jevons? ?laws relating to individual cases?, and Walras? ?maximum satisfaction of the needs of society? are based on the analysis of the motivation and behavior of individuals isolated from their social environment. The result of this approach is the exaltation of utility, the creation of the Homo Oeconomicus, the conversion of Political Economy into ?Pure Political Economy?, and the construction of a theoretical building where relationships and economic categories are completely drained of their social content. The social dimension of economic life is dissolved, engulfed by the naturalistic voracity of ?Economic Science?. Walras, through his general equilibrium model, sought to establish mathematical foundations for his supposition that the ?world of economic interests tends toward spontaneous order? in the same way as ?the world of astronomical motion?. This led to the idée-maitresse of the mainstream: left free to act, the maximizing agents will inexorably produce a global market clearing condition.

Keywords: Senior, Nassau William, 1790-1864; Jevons, William Stanley, 1835-1882; Walras, Leon, 1834-1910; Orth (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: B12 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2002
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