The Fecundity of Mathematical Methods in Economic Theory
In: Springer eBook Collection
I Introduction -- The development of mathematical methods in application to economic theory -- Attempts to define operationally the concept of 'fecundity' -- The relations between mathematics and logic -- II The Logical Distinction between two types of Mathematical Method — Respectively Mathematical Presentation and Mathematical Operation -- III Attempted Operational Assessment of the Intellectual Economy due to using Mathematical Methods -- Mathematical presentation and economy of thought -- Mathematical operations and economy of thought -- Provisional summary -- IV Investigation of the Intelligibility of Mathematical Methods -- Definition of the concept 'intelligibility' -- An attempted conclusion as to intelligibility, based on an example of R. Stucken -- V Critical Appraisal of the Accuracy of Mathematical Methods as applied to Economic Theory -- Fundamental considerations -- Quantitative estimation of the final errors resulting from mathematical operations attributable to differences in the input values -- The inexactitude of mathematical operations -- Imperfect accuracy of mathematical presentation as exemplified in the market demand for household consumer goods -- The significance of the psycho-physical basic principles underlying the exactness of mathematical methods -- W. Krelle's theory of domestic demand considered from the standpoint of procedural accuracy -- VI Conclusions -- Notes.