"Is economics a science? What distinguishes it from other sciences, both natural and social? Does it have a distinctive method? Can its models of perfect rationality and perfect competition help us to understand real market economies and to help them to function better? This book offers answers to these questions and more"--

Daniel M. Hausman is the author of seven books and nearly 200 essays on issues at the boundaries between economics and philosophy. With Michael McPherson, he is the co-founder and former editor of the journal, Economics and Philosophy. In 2009, Hausman was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Part I. Introduction: Content, Structure and Strategy of Mainstream Economics: 1. Rationality, preferences and utility theory; 2. Demand and consumer choice; 3. Theory of the firm and general equilibrium; 4. Equilibrium theory and normative economics; 5. Equilibrium theory and macroeconomic models; 6. Models and theories in economics; 7. The structure and strategy of economics; 8. Overlapping generations: a case study; Part II. Theory Assessment: 9. Inexactness in economic theory; 10. Mill's deductive method and the assessment of economic hypotheses; 11. Methodological revolution; 12. Karl Popper, Imre Lakatos: Falsificationism and research programs; 13. The inexact deductive method; 14. Casting off dogmatism: the case of preference reversals; Part III. Conclusion: 15. Economic methodology; 16. Conclusions.