Description
Book SynopsisDarwinism is fast becoming an orthodoxy of modern thought, a framework within which a wide range of knowledge communities conduct their discourse. Ever since its formation, Darwinian theory has experienced a close, though not always comfortable, association with economics. Evolutionary economists now appear to show little concern for the consistency of knowledge in their embrace of Darwinism.
Darwinism and Evolutionary Economics brings together contributions from eminent authors who, building on Darwin's own insights and on developments in evolutionary theory, offer challenging views on how economics can use evolutionary ideas effectively.
This collection of critical essays provides a thorough examination of the application of Darwinian theory to economic thought, and will appeal to evolutionary economists and all those with an interest in Darwin, innovation and evolutionary science.
Trade Review'This outstanding collection of essays by leading scholars helps explain how evolutionary economics has come of age. They show how evolutionary economics offers a progressive and diverse research agenda built on strong foundations. These are essays of lasting value.' -- J. Stanley Metcalfe, University of Manchester, UK
Table of ContentsContents: Preface (Richard R. Nelson) 1. Darwinism and Evolutionary Economics Part I: 2. Darwin, Economics and Contemporary Economists 3. The Strange ‘Laissez Faire’ of Alfred Russell Wallace: The Connection between Natural Selection and Political Economy Reconsidered 4. The Evolutionary Economics of Alfred Marshall: An Overview 5. Keynes and Darwinism Part II: 6. Is Social Evolution Lamarckian or Darwinian? 7. Nesting Lamarckism within Darwinian Explanations: Necessity in Economics and Possibility in Biology? 8. The Appearance of Lamarckism in the Evolution of Culture 9. The Human Agent in Evolutionary Economics References Index
