The Inexact and Separate Science of Economics

This book offers a comprehensive introduction to the fundamentals of standard economics, to the strategies economists employ in applying their theories to solve particular problems, and to the ways in which economists assess their theories. The author points out that economic theorists share a vision of economic theory as a "separate" science, believing that a single theory focusing on one cause, rational "greed," can capture the basic features of the whole economic realm. Professor Hausman argues that since economic phenomena are so messy, and economic theory is thus hard to test, it is accepted because its fundamental assumptions are seen as acceptable on an intuitive level. Evidence from other sources, particularly psychology, should be used by economists in their explorations.