The irrelevance of methodology and the art of the possible : reading Sen and Hirschman

Economic methodologists have observed that economists do not practice what they think their methodology is. Two positions follow from this. One insists on the need for ‘better’ practice in maintaining ‘scientific’ standard, while the other takes the literary turn. Following the second route we argue that appraisal of economic theories cannot be done by applying a general ‘scientific method’ apart from practice. Methodological conversations, which are shaped by various strategies taken by practitioners to persuade each other, can only be studied and improved by reading the most persuasive of the authors in the discipline. Writings of Albert Hirschman and Amartya Sen are chosen to be read following our approach. JEL Classification : B 41 Key Words : Methodology, positivism, rhetoric, methodological conversation, internal criticism