假設條件與經濟分析

Assumptions in Economics

10.29765/TEI.200307.0004

林沁雄(Richard C. Lin)

假設條件 ； F-twist ； 知識 ； 證成 ； 蓋提爾問題 ； assumptions ； F-twist ； knowledge ； justification ； the Gettier problem

經濟研究

39卷2期（2003 / 07 / 01）

241 - 272

繁體中文

本文探討經濟學中假設條件是否必須具備實在性質之課題。經由文獻回顧，吾人得到可忽略性假設、適用性假設、聯合可忽略性假設必須具備實在性質之結論。然而如就建立獨立性經濟理論之角度言，上述結論是否仍然維持？有無其他假設條件亦須具備這個性質？這些都是值得深入探討的課題。在形成經濟知識的前提下，本文認為前述文獻上之結論仍舊維持，不過，個體（事件）如原子般獨立存在的核心假設顯有放鬆的必要，以建立更接近真實的信念，並且增加有效證成的機會。另外，利用採自開放系統（即不具限制與假設條件之真實世界）的資料來檢驗得自於封閉系統（即具有限制條件與假設條件之人工世界）的研究結論時，經濟學應嚴防蓋提爾問題之發生，以確保證成的有效性；在此觀點下，假設條件愈具備實在性質應是愈好的策略。

This paper explores the realisticness of assumptions. The existing literature has concluded that the assumptions of negligibility, applicability, and joint negligibility need to be realistic. From the perspective of establishing an individual theory, however, does the above conclusion remain valid? Are there other assumptions that need to be realistic? These are valuable issues. Our research results indicate that the conventional wisdom remains effective, but the core assumption of atomistic individuals (events) utilized by mainstream economists needs to be relaxed in order to improve the truth condition, and the justification condition as well, of a theory (knowledge). In addition, while using data collected from the open system (i.e. the world of nature that contains no hypothesis and constraint) to test conclusions derived from a closed system (i.e. a man-made world that includes hypotheses and constraints), mainstream economists need to be aware of the Gettier problem during their justification. Under this consideration, be as realistic as possible is the best strategy for setting up assumptions.

1. Blaug, M.(1992).The Methodology of Economics, Or How Economists Explain.Cambridge:Cambridge University Press.
2. Friedman, M.(1953).Essays in Positive Economics.Chicago:University of Chicago Press.
3. Gettier, E.(1963).Is Justified True Belief Knowledge?.Analysis,23
4. Hands, W.(2001).Reflection Without Rules: Economic Methodology and Contemporary Science Theory.Cambridge:Cambridge University Press.
5. Hetherington, S.(1996).Knowledge Puzzles: an Introduction to Epistemology.Boulder:Westview.
6. Lawson, T.(1997).Economics and Reality.London:Routledge.
7. Machlup, F.(1955).The Problem of Verification in Economics.Southern Economic Journal,22
8. Maki, U.(1994).New Directions in Economic Methodology.London:Routledge.
9. Maki, U.(2000).Kinds of Assumptions and Their Truth: Shaking an Untwisted F-Twist.Kyklos,53(3)
10. Melitz, J.(1965).Friedman and Machlup on the Significance of Testing Economic Assumptions.Journal of Political Economy,73
11. Morrison, M., Morgan, M.(1999).Models as Mediators: Perspectives on Natural and Social Science.Cambridge:Cambridge University Press.
12. Moser, P. K.(1989).Knowledge and Evidence.Cambridge:Cambridge University Press.
13. Musgrave, A.(1981).Unreal Assumptions in Economic Theory: The F-Twist Untwisted.Kyklos,34
14. Popper, K.(1968).The Logic of Scientific Discovery.New York:Basic Books.
15. Quine, W. V. O.(1951).Two Dogmas of Empiricism.Philosophical Review,60
16. Sturgeon, S.(1994).BA Philosophy: Epistemology.The External Programme of the London University.
17. 劉孟奇 Lio, Mon-Chi(1999)。Lakatos之科學哲學與經濟學方法論 Lakatos' Philosophy of Science and Economic Methodology。經濟論文叢刊 Taiwan Economic Review，27(1)

1. 林沁雄(2002)。經濟學與因緣法。東海管理評論，4(1)，167-199。