Philosophy and Theory of Science in Economic and Business

Aims of the course

The purpose of research in business and economics is to create new knowledge; however, it is not a simple matter to determine how that is to be done or when it has been done. In the social sciences in particular, it is difficult, but essential, to understand the role of the research, along with the role of the topic of the research, in the broader social and cultural context in which they are embedded. This course will provide students with the necessary philosophical background to inform their own research and to critique the research of others.

Course syllabus

1. THEORY OF SCIENCE, METHODOLOGY AND THEORY
1.2. Objectification of knowledge and the subjective process of cognition
1.3. Methodological individualism and sociological explanations of science
1.4. Methodological monism and post-modern pluralism
1.5. Understanding economics/business as a science
1.6. Foundations of theory building

2. METHODOLOGY OF LOGICAL POSITIVISM
2.1. The introduction of positivism in methodology (verification)
2.2. Methodological instrumentalism, operationalism and descriptivism
2.3. The critique of logical positivism
2.4. The applicability of logical positivism in economics/business research

3. POPPER'S LOGIC OF DISCOVERY AND FALSIFICATION
3.1. Critical rationalism
3.2. Falsification and the growth of knowledge
3.3. The critique of Popper's approach
3.4. The applicability of Popper’s falsification in economics/business research

4. KUHN AND PARADIGMS
4.1. The paradigm and normal science
4.2. Scientific revolutions, anomaly and the emergence of new scientific theories
4.3. The role of (economic/business) scientific community and scientific dogmatism
4.5. The critique of Kuhn's approach
4.6. The applicability of Kuhn in economics/business

5. LACATOS AND SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH PROGRAMMS
5.1. Methodological falsificationism
5.2. Methodology of the scientific research programmes (SRP)
5.3. Hard core and protective belt
5.4. Criticisms of Lakatosian methodology
5.5. The applicability of SRP in economics/business research

6. POSTMODERNISM, PLURALISM AND RHETORIC
6.1. (Post)modernism as a cross-disciplinary movement
6.2. Theoretical anarchism and »anything goes« principle
6.3. Pluralistic methodology and profileration of theories
6.4. Criticism of postmodern approach
6.5. Pluralism in economic/business scientific community
6.6. Metaphor, storytelling and conversations in economics/business science

Course director(s)