Notes on methodological individualism in economic research: are there limits to the application?
https://doi.org/10.38050/MSU0130-0105-6-58-1-1
Abstract
The main characteristics of methodological individualism as an approach used in economics to the study of social phenomena are revealed and the associated with it way of presenting accumulated knowledge. The authors show how methodological individualism is positioned in economics where Lakatos' research programs compete with each other. The study examines possible limitations in applying methodological individualism to relations between people mediated by language as a means of communication, including in the light of socialization processes, as well as in the light of differences in the research process and the way of presenting its outcomes. The authors show that with the spread of technologies based on artificial intelligence, the question of whether self-learning algorithms successfully passing the Turing test should be considered as a challenge for applying the traditional understanding of methodological individualism in future economic research. Methodological individualism is one of the important issues in the modern methodology of economics, in the light of which the paper discusses various aspects of the relationship between methodological holism and individualism.
About the Authors
E. A. Shastitko
Lomonosov Moscow State University; RANEPA
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Moscow
L. A. Tutov
Lomonosov Moscow State University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Moscow
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Review
For citations:
Shastitko E.A., Tutov L.A. Notes on methodological individualism in economic research: are there limits to the application? Moscow University Economics Bulletin. 2023;(1):3-21. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.38050/MSU0130-0105-6-58-1-1
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