新古典派経済学の哲学的源流

デカルトとポパー

抄録

Much criticism has been levied against Neo-Classical Economics (NCE). Currently, even the followers of NCE have declared the need for alternative economics.
This paper examines the philosophical origins of NCE. In the process of making this examination, we establish a fundamental critique against NCE, which has survived through the ‘evolutionary’ process.
This paper points out the philosophical origins of NCE. First, the theoretical aspect of NCE (that is, methodological individualism), originated in Descartes. ‘Homo Economicus’ (rational economic man) and the optimum principle are derived from Descartes. Notably, the logic of Descartes ultimately depends on the proof of the existence of God. This appropriation is scandalous, in that it throws into question the very rationality of Descartes' and Neo-Classical Economics' foundations. Second, the empirical aspect (i. e., falsificationism) originated in Popper. This appropriation gave the economics a scientific aspect, insist the followers of NCE. Although Kuhn's ‘Scientific Revolutions Theory’ and ‘Paradigm Theory’ challenged falsificationism, Popper's pupil Lakatos modified Popper's theory and advocated ‘Methodology of Scientific Research Programmes’ (MSRP). In turn, this modification made falsificationism seem innocuous.
This paper ends with suggestions for alternative economics, referenced with irony from Descartes and Popper: Popper's original bold trials and errors (viz., conjectures and refutations), and Descartes' ‘temporary morality’.