Reorienting Economics: Some Epistemological Issues

Abstract

First paragraph: In setting out some reactions to Tony Lawson's new book, Reorienting Economics, the first point to emphasize is how welcome the volume is. It is an evolution from Economics and Reality in a variety of ways. It sets out the development of Lawson's thinking, often explicitly in response to reactions to the earlier book. In particular, Lawson has taken the opportunity to address (mistaken) dualistic readings of the earlier book (a common feature of reactions to methodological work of this sort) and so to emphasise the character of the middle ground between positivism and relativism. He reiterates the critical realist critique of orthodox methodology, but much more succinctly, allowing more latitude for looking beyond critique and addressing issues arising within the critical realist approach. Not only does this succinctness further clarify the critical realist project, but it also means that the tone is more constructive, as is proper for a maturing set of ideas.