Optimal policy modelling? An argumentation theory approach to making sense of economic modelling

Patrick Klösel

International Journal of Pluralism and Economics Education, 2022, vol. 13, issue 1, 72-91

Abstract: The 'unrealistic-assumptions' puzzle and the 'prediction-failure' puzzle pose problems to the current practice of policy modelling in economics. The standard accounts by Friedman, McCloskey, Sugden and Mäki fail to provide a criterion to expose problematic idealisations. In this paper, I develop the 'models-as-argumentations' view which sensitises the modeller and practitioners to the fact that in order to derive policy recommendations, the adequacy-for-purpose of the model at hand has to be considered more carefully. Regarding economic models as complex argumentations allows for rational policy recommendations but imposes a certain degree of realism on the model's assumptions.

Keywords: economic models; argumentation theory; unrealistic assumptions; adequacy-for-purpose; intellectual modesty; idealisation; realism; induction; policy recommendations; analogy; isomorphism. (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ids:ijplur:v:13:y:2022:i:1:p:72-91

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