The indetermination of Senior

Abstract

The commitments and working requirements of abstract, applied, and art of economics are assessed within an analogy with the fields of inert matter and life. Abstract economics is the pure logic of the phenomenon. Applied positive economics presupposes many distinct abstract sciences. Art presupposes applied economics and direct knowledge of the specifici-ties which characterize the time-space individuality of the phenomenon. This is an indetermi-nation clearly formulated by Senior and Mill; its connection with institutionalism is discus-sed. The Ricardian Vice is the habit of ignoring the Indetermination; its prevalence in mains-tream economics is exemplified, and its causes analyzed.

JEL Classification: B41.