In Part 1 of History of Economic Analysis, Joseph A. Schumpeter describes a method for presenting a history of economics that emphasizes objectivity and a strict focus on the evolution of the "science" of economics. The approach he delineates is similar to those which have been referred to as "positivistic" or "absolutist." / This dissertation begins with a presentation of two extreme approaches which have been advocated for presenting the history of economics. This is accomplished by delineating and subsequently analyzing statements made by the protagonists of each approach. / Next Schumpeter's biography is presented, then his "vision" of how the economic universe functions is addressed. / Following this presentation of Schumpeter's biography and vision, what other economists have written concerning Schumpeter's methodology is addressed. / An analysis of History of Economic Analysis is then conducted to demonstrate the extent to which Schumpeter deviated from his stated approach. Along with a great deal of biography and an attempt to delineate each major thought creator's vision, the work is found to be rift with Schumpeter's personal biases. / It is shown that Schumpeter's approach, far from being the objective, positivistic approach for which he calls, is much more akin to the biographical approach espoused by Wesley Clair Mitchell. It is thus shown that Schumpeter's work is further toward the relativistic side of the methodological continuum. / Finally History of Economic Analysis is compared to Economic Theory in Retrospect by Mark Blaug, whose work comes closest to consummating what Schumpeter called for. Though successful at presenting the history of economics in a "modernistic" framework, it is concluded that Blaug's work is not nearly as significant a contribution as that of Schumpeter. In fact, the very reasons which would not allow Schumpeter to practice what he called for are those that make his History of Economic Analysis the important contribution (to the History of Economics) that it is. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 48-12, Section: A, page: 3158. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1987.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_76184 |
| Contributors | BETHUNE, JOHN JOHNSON., Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text |
| Format | 114 p. |
| Rights | On campus use only. |
| Relation | Dissertation Abstracts International |
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