Mark S. Peacock

Explaining theory choice : An assessment of the critical realist contribution to explanation in science

This paper analyses the critical realist account of explanation and theory choice by considering Tony Lawsons Economics and Reality. I criticise his concept explanatory power for having a quantitative bias which obscures the existence of different types of explanation, for being vaguely defined and too abstract to be of help to practising social scientists in the business of choosing theories. I show this with the help of an example from economics which leads me to discuss Lawsons characterisation of economic theory, which, I argue, places too much emphasis on methodological factors and is insensitive to the themata of economics. I go on to consider Roy Bhaskars writings on theory choice and his attempt to argue not just for the possibility, but also the reality of rational theory choice in science. I show how Bhaskar is unable to support this claim independently of the de facto theory choices of sciences. With the aid of an example, I cast doubt on the ability of Bhaskars conception of theory choice to provide normative guidance to scientists. I finish by questioning the notion of theory choice and its implications.

Local Exchange Trading Systems: A Solution to the Employment Dilemma?

Local exchange trading systems (LETS) are fast becoming a significant socio-economic phenomenon. It is held that they represent new forms of work which reduce unemployment. The author discusses LETS in the context of three contributions to the future of work to show that LETS are a neglected phenomenon. He then considers whether these proposals on the future of work offer an alternative to the unemployed. The empirical evidence shows a strong bias towards those people in gainful employment and those who are well-educated and well-off. In conclusion, the author suggests ways in which this bias may be remedied and measures through which LETS may make a practical contribution to the future of work.

The Conceptual Construction of Altruism: Ernst Fehr’s Experimental Approach to Human Conduct

I offer an appreciation and critique of Ernst Fehr’s altruism research in experimental economics that challenges the “selfishness axiom” as an account of human behavior. I describe examples of Fehr’s experiments and their results and consider his conceptual terminology, particularly his “biological” definition of altruism and its counterintuitive implications. I also look at Fehr’s experiments from a methodological perspective and examine his explanations of subjects’ behavior. In closing, I look at Fehr’s neuroscientific work in experimental economics and question his adherence to a subjective expected utility interpretation of subjects’ behavior.

The desire to understand and the politics of Wissenschaft: an analysis of the Historikerstreit:

In 1986, a debate - der Historikerstreit (the historians’ dispute) - erupted in the German public sphere. It involved a number of historians who attempted to ‘revise’ approaches to the study of the Holocaust. Their endeavours met with fierce opposition, most notably from Jürgen Habermas, who accused them of trying to endow Germany with a presentable political image by relativizing the Holocaust. This article examines the conduct of the debate, in particular the manner in which each side alleged of the other that it was driven by political motives rather than wissenschaftliche interests. I consider the way in which Ernst Nolte tries to ‘understand’ the Holocaust, and discuss the difficulties of investigating the Holocaust in a wissenschaftlichen manner.1

ALTRUISM AS A THICK CONCEPT

In this paper, we examine different forms of altruism. We commence by analysing the ‘behavioural’ definition and, after clarifying its conditions for altruism, we argue that it is not in ‘reflective equilibrium’ with everyday linguistic usage of the term. We therefore consider a ‘psychological’ definition, which we likewise refine, and argue that it better reflects ordinary language use. Both behavioural and psychological approaches define altruism descriptively and thus fail to capture an important aspect of altruism, namely its normative component. Altruism, we argue, is a ‘thick concept’, i.e. one which embodies both positive and normative components. We discuss and compare various formulations of this normative component.

No methodology without ontology! Reorienting economics

That indifference to metaphysics is nothing new can be seen in those whom Kant dubs die Indifferentisten who descry in metaphysics an ‘ill-applied industry’. Economists today have inherited this tradition, yet through their indifference to metaphysics, they, like Kant’s (1930[1781]: 6–7) indifferentists, ‘inevitably fall back into metaphysical assertions for which they professed so much contempt’. In light of this, the publication of Tony Lawson’s Reorienting Economics is most welcome, for it explicitly addresses an aspect of the metaphysics of economics, namely its ontology. Lawson exposes the ontology of economics which is implied by the use of the discipline’s methods. He shows the inadequacies of this ontology and offers an alternative which can act as a guide to the way in which economics should be practised. In revealing the implied ontology of economics, Lawson takes his cue from A.N. Whitehead:

Complementary currencies: History, theory, prospects

This essay examines the history and theory of complementary currencies before considering the prospects for increasing their current scope to become significant economic entities through which people – particularly those marginalised in, or excluded from, the formal economy – can secure their livelihood. A model of tax-driven money, based on the tax anticipation schemes of the 1930s is proposed.

Inability, culpability and affected ignorance: reflections on Michele Moody-Adams

In this article, I examine Michele Moody-Adams’ critique of the ‘inability thesis’, according to which some cultures make the resources for criticizing injustice ‘unavailable’ to their members. I investigate Moody-Adams’ alternative ‘affected ignorance’ thesis. Using the example of slavery in ancient Greece, I consider two potential candidates for affected ignorance which involve, respectively, ‘unawareness’ and ‘mistaken moral weighing’; in neither, I hold, may one ascribe culpability to those involved.

Path Dependence in the Production of Scientific Knowledge

Despite its proliferation in technology studies, the concept of “path dependence” has scarcely been applied to epistemology. In this essay, I investigate path dependence in the production of scientific knowledge, first, by considering Kuhn’s scattered remarks that lend support to a path‐dependence thesis (Section I) and second by developing and criticising Kuhn’s embryonic account (Sections II and III). I examine a case from high‐energy physics that brings the path‐dependent nature of scientific knowledge to the fore and I pay attention to two sources of path dependence—“theoretical” and “instrumental”. The latter source is particularly important in “big science”. I ask in Section IV whether path dependence in scientific knowledge can lead to circumstances like those in the technological field, in which a theory can come to dominate a scientific speciality even though it is inferior to alternatives. In Section V, I ask what implications my thesis has for science policy.

Altruism and the Indispensability of Motives

Abstract In this paper we examine Fehr’s notions of “altruism”, “strong reciprocity” and “altruistic punishment” and query his ascription of altruism. We suggest that, pace Fehr, altruism cannot be defined behaviourally because the definition of altruism must refer to the motives of actors. We also advert to certain inconsistencies in Fehr’s usage of his terms and we question his explanation of altruism in terms of ‘social preferences’.