Abstract A distinctive feature of the Critical Realist approach is its reliance on the so-called ‘transcendental argument’ for the existence of social structures. Focusing on Tony Lawson’s version of the argument, this paper aims at showing that it is unsatisfactory and concludes that Critical Realists should dispense with it. Key Words Causality, social structures, ontology … Continue reading Talking about structures: the ‘transcendental’ argument
Tag: ontology
Time, Mechanisms and Technology: Challenges of Abstraction and Decision in Realist Economic Theory
Abstract This paper argues that Humean causal successionism, which has been the principal target for critique by Bhaskar’s Critical Realism, remains very present in the concept of “mechanism” itself. It is argued that the concept of mechanism implies a Newtonian abstraction of time which is uninspected within Critical Realism. However, this is a broader problem … Continue reading Time, Mechanisms and Technology: Challenges of Abstraction and Decision in Realist Economic Theory
The individual and the society in Walras
Abstract Modern analyses present the general equilibrium as an archetype of methodological individualism, enabling the reconciliation of individual interests through the market. This article aims at showing the originality and the specificity of the treatment of this issue by Walras. We first show that Walras considers the individual (oneself) and the society (the others) as … Continue reading The individual and the society in Walras