论西方经济学数学化和“脱思想化”趋势的方法论基础

On the Methodological Foundation of Mathematicalization and De-ideological Trend in Economics

现代经济学的数学化已成为这门学科的一个基本特征。数学化是对经济思想进行形式化的一种特定的方式,在形式化过程中某些思想内容将不可避免地丧失,因而不惜一切内容代价的数学化被称为"脱思想化"。"脱思想化"之所以能成为现代经济学的一种趋势,除了与数学本身的特点有关之外,还需要一个方法论基础。罗宾斯为经济学研究领域的狭窄化所做的方法论论证,以及新古典经济学在"理性经济人"这一基本行为假设下对经济理论的形式化,奠定了现代西方主流经济学的数学化和"脱思想化"的初步格局。但至关重要的还是弗里德曼的"假设不相关性"观点,该观点为经济学的数学化和"脱思想化"奠定了方法论基础。分析表明,这一观点是难以成立的,但它却影响深远。

The mathematicalization of modern economics has become a remarkable characteristic of the discipline.Mathematicalization is a particular way for the formalization of economic thoughts.But in the process of formalization there is necessarily some loss of thoughts.For this reason over mathematicalization at the sacrifice of thoughts is defined as deideology.The deideological trend in economics is grounded on certain methodological foundation,besides its intrinsic root in the mathematics itself.Lionel Robbins provided a methodological justification for the narrow definition of economic research field while neo-classical economics set down a framework for a highly formalized system of economic theory through the fundamental behavior assumption rational economic man.However, the most crucial work has to be owed to Milton Friedman and his famous argument,the irreleVancy of assumption,which provides a foundation for the dideological trend of modern economics.Although such an argument does not have a solid ground,its fundamental impacts on the mainstream economics should not be underestimated.