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A.C. Pigou and the 'Marshallian' Thought StyleMathematics and Formalism in Economic Theory

A.C. Pigou and the 'Marshallian' Thought Style: Mathematics and Formalism in Economic Theory [This chapter examines the increasing use of mathematics in Arthur Cecil Pigou’s economic writings. Pigou’s attitudes towards biological and mechanical analogies as means by which to capture economic reality are considered by examining his attitudes to method generally and by reconstructing aspects of his training in mathematics and his use of mathematics over the course of his career. It is argued that Pigou’s heightened use of mathematics was a continuous and considered departure from Alfred Marshall’s practice of relegating mathematical analysis to footnotes and appendices. It is also demonstrated, however, that Pigou retained the Marshallian trait of employing a plurality of methods, and that this can be understood in terms of the Fleckian notion of evolving thought styles. Pigou’s book The Theory of Unemployment is used as a case study to underline arguments presented in the chapter.] http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png

A.C. Pigou and the 'Marshallian' Thought StyleMathematics and Formalism in Economic Theory

Part of the Palgrave Studies in the History of Economic Thought Book Series
Lovejoy Knight, Karen
Springer Journals — Dec 30, 2018
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Publisher
Springer International Publishing
Copyright
© The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s) 2018
ISBN
978-3-030-01017-1
Pages
205 –255
DOI
10.1007/978-3-030-01018-8_6
Publisher site
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Abstract

[This chapter examines the increasing use of mathematics in Arthur Cecil Pigou’s economic writings. Pigou’s attitudes towards biological and mechanical analogies as means by which to capture economic reality are considered by examining his attitudes to method generally and by reconstructing aspects of his training in mathematics and his use of mathematics over the course of his career. It is argued that Pigou’s heightened use of mathematics was a continuous and considered departure from Alfred Marshall’s practice of relegating mathematical analysis to footnotes and appendices. It is also demonstrated, however, that Pigou retained the Marshallian trait of employing a plurality of methods, and that this can be understood in terms of the Fleckian notion of evolving thought styles. Pigou’s book The Theory of Unemployment is used as a case study to underline arguments presented in the chapter.]

Published: Dec 30, 2018

Keywords: Mathematical formalism; Economic complexity; Marshallian thought style

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