Home » Issues » 2021/1 (Vol. 22) – Examining Economic Thought through the Prism of Historical Epistemology » Scottish enlightenment historical epistemology and modern challenges for economic thought

Scottish enlightenment historical epistemology and modern challenges for economic thought

By

Sheila Dow

Abstract

This paper considers current epistemological challenges for economics through the lens of Scottish enlightenment epistemology. Smith and Hume had focused on how (provisional and uncertain) knowledge is formulated, examining how different circumstances generate and support different theories and approaches. On this basis we explore the current discourse on how economists should address the epistemological challenges of crisis situations and their causes.

JEL Codes: A1, B00.

Keywords

[See the article on Cairn]