This book explores the deep meaning―the nature or essence―of the economy and its fundamental components. As a monograph on the philosophy of the economy and economics, it deduces the metaphysical nature of these two, going step by step from more general to more specific realities to finally arrive at the adequate features of the economic sciences and their methods. It builds on a largely Aristotelian approach, but also draws extensively from modern scholarship in the area. Usefully and pertinently, the book covers both general aspects of the economy and particular historically specific features. Among the important topics covered in the book are the meanings of the economy, the nature and role of economic agents, the nature of the macroeconomy, the nature and role of money, and so on. The book concludes with chapters on the nature of economics itself and its methodologies.
Author(s): Ricardo F. Crespo
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan
Year: 2022
Language: English
Pages: 234
City: Cham
Preface
Contents
About the Author
1 Introduction: Does Economics Deal with the Economic Stuff? Or Is the Economic Stuff Explained by Economics?
References
2 Metaphysics, Ontology, and Metaphysical Theories
Two Metaphysical Theories
The Categories of Being, Representationalism, and the Economy
Metaphysical Knowledge
What Is the Matter for Economics?
References
3 Metaphysical Categories
The Aristotelian Categories of Being
Nancy Cartwright’s Categories
Tony Lawson’s Categories
Uskali Mäki’s Categories
Conclusion
References
4 The Metaphysics and Ontology of the Economy
The Metaphysics of the Economy
Two Meanings of the Economy
Aristotle on the Economy
Cartwright on the Economy
Lawson on the Economy
Mäki on the Economy
Conclusion: The Nature of the Economy
The Ontology of the Economy
References
5 The Identity of the Economic Agent
A Notion of Economics and Requirements for a Corresponding Concept of Identity
On Personal Identity
Complex Theories and Their Criticism
Simple Theories of Identity
The Identity of the Economic Agent
Conclusion
References
6 The Human Person as Worker
Praxis-Agere and Poiesis-Facere
Why Do I Work?
Conclusion
References
7 The Metaphysics of Social Collectives
Dictionary Definitions of Social Collectives
Aristotle on Social Metaphysics
On the Action of the Whole
Some Contemporary Connections
Conclusion
References
8 On the Relation Between Micro- and Macroeconomic “Entities”: A Philosophical Approach
Micro- and Macroeconomics
Microfoundations and the Representative Agent
The Ontological Nature of Macroeconomic Entities
Supervenience
Emergence
Keynes on the Economy
Aristotle on Wholes and Parts
Conclusion
References
9 On the Nature of Money
Aristotle on Money
Money as a Unit of Measurement
A Conventional Sign
Money as a Sign
Conclusion
References
10 Economic Sciences
Previous Ideas on the Nature and Method of Economic Sciences
Aristotle on Economic Science
Cartwright on Economic Science
Lawson on Economic Science
Mäki on Economic Science
Conclusions
References
11 Conclusions
References
Index
