May 1, 2013

Toolism! A critique of EconoPhysics {41}

Working paper at SSRN

Abstract  Economists are fond of the physicists' powerful tools. As a popular mindset, Toolism is as old as economics but the transplants failed to produce the same successes as in their aboriginal environment. Economists, therefore, looked more and more to the math department for inspiration. Now the tide turns again. The ongoing crisis discredits standard economics and offers the chance for a comeback. Modern EconoPhysics commands the most powerful tools and argues that there are many occasions for their application. The present paper argues that it is not a change of tools that is most urgently needed but a Paradigm Shift.