Is Teaching Neoclassical Economics as the Science of Economics Moral?
Author(s)
Parvin, Manoucher; Strober, Myra
Abstract
Skepticism about assumptions, conclusions, and claims that neoclassical economics is a positive science abounds and is expressed by Marxian, institutional, evolutionary, and even neoclassical economists. My purpose is to discuss the morality of teaching neoclassical theory as the science of economics. Criticism of the theory is confined largely to the pedagogical sphere. For example, neoclassicism assumes that the mere existence of a consumer implies autonomous choice. However, when kept in the dark about alternative economic thoughts, do students choose neoclassical theory autonomously? Is not this initiation into neoclassicism similar to being born into it?
