Methodological norms in economic theorizing are interpreted as rational strategies to optimize some epistemic utility functions. A definition of 'empirical verisimilitude' is defended as a plausible interpretation of the epistemic preferences of researchers. Some salient differences between the...

This paper addresses the link between the generation of economic knowledge and economic policy conclusions. Focusing on the case of research in international trade, It establishes a taxonomy of rhetorical practices used to make such a link. The flexibility observed in these practices contrasts...

Friedman's 1956 essay, 'The Quantity Theory of Money: A Restatement', in his Studies in the Quantity Theory of Money should be read in the context of the prevailing Keynesian consensus of the time. His primary task had to be to convince economists to reconsider this theory. This required an...

To understand the work of economic theorists it is often helpful to situate it in the context of the rhetorical strategy they were pursuing. Two ontologically distinct rhetorical strategies of laissez-faire may be distinguished by the way they articulate the individual interest with the general...