Economic Theory and Business Management ›› 2006, Vol. ›› Issue (11): 5-11.

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WHAT ECONOMICS SHOULD LEARN FROM MATHEMATICS?

LIANG Qi   

  1. School of Economics, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
  • Received:2006-09-29 Online:2012-03-01 Published:2006-11-16

经济学应当向数学学什么?

梁琦   

  1. 南京大学经济学院, 南京, 210093

Abstract: Economic research should have mathematics thoughts.Only the examples that meet the assumptions and are contrary to the conclusion are counterexamples.It is the falsificationism principle of science that a single counterexample is enough to overthrow a theorem.Every theorem and proposition is under some assumptions.It is realistic that assumptions are non-realistic.Economics itself is based on constructivism philosophy.Mathematics can help understand and enrich economics thoughts,or provide tools for economics to solve reality problems.Do not stop at formalism.Developing economics needs balance between formalism and thoughts.No forbidden zone.This is what Economics should learn from mathematics.

Key words: economic research, methodology, falsificationism, assumption

摘要: 经济学研究方法中应该渗透数学思维。只有满足假设条件而与结论相反的例子才是反例,一个反例足以推翻一个定理,这是科学的证伪原则。每一个定理或命题都是在一定假设条件约束下的结论,而假设条件的非现实才是现实的。经济学大厦本身基于建构主义哲学。数学的应用或是有助于更好地理解和丰富经济学思想,或是给经济学提供解决现实问题的方法和工具,但不能流于形式。经济学的发展需要在形式化和思想性之间权衡。在数学面前没有清规戒律,没有禁区,这也是经济学研究应该向数学学习的一种精神。

关键词: 经济学研究, 方法论, 证伪, 假设

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