The Structure of Neoclassical Consumer Theory

Alan Isaac

Microeconomics from University Library of Munich, Germany

Abstract: This paper offers an accessible introductory survey of the application of abstract choice theory to consumer theory. In the process, the paper identifires---somewhat more carefully than is usual in the literature--- the relatively small role of the rationality postulates and the relatively large role of the ad hoc assumptions that are required to produce the minimal structure of neoclassical consumer theory. (This structure is that Marshallian demand obeys the weak axiom of revealed preference in budget data). Finally, this paper serves as a reminder that economists should abandon the behaviorist aspirations and claims that they have repeatedly, but incorrectly, associated with abstract choice theory.

Keywords: abstract choice theory; consumer theory; neoclassical economics (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: B41 D11 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 1998-07-09
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-mic
Note: Type of Document - PDF; prepared on IBM PC; to print on HP;
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:wpa:wuwpmi:9805003

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