The Whys and Hows of Theory - Comparing Cognitive Science and Economics

Title data

Rich, Patricia:
The Whys and Hows of Theory - Comparing Cognitive Science and Economics.
In: Computational Brain & Behavior. Vol. 7 (2024) Issue 4 . - pp. 523-534.
ISSN 2522-087X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42113-024-00213-9

Official URL:

Abstract in another language

Given the ongoing debates about the replication crisis, theory crisis, and cooperation among disciplines in cognitive science, it is instructive to compare cognitive science with economics. The two fields face common challenges, most importantly in that both study complex, open systems. The strategies for facing these challenges, however, are quite different. Economics was long dominated by theory. Cognitive science takes a multidisciplinary approach, and despite its attendant diversity is dominated by psychology, which itself often neglects theory. I defend economics’ use of theory, characterizing its formal modeling tradition as an effective divide-and-conquer strategy for understanding complex, open systems. I argue that theory and experimentation ideally support one another, making replicability less of an issue. I also discuss the appropriate level(s) of analysis in economics and cognitive science as products of the systems they study. Finally, I compare the two fields’ very different community structures, treating economics as a cautionary tale and advocating pluralism.

Further data

Item Type:	Article in a journal
Refereed:	Yes
Keywords:	Philosophy of science; Economics; Cognitive science; Theory; Methodology
Institutions of the University:	Faculties > Faculty of Cultural Studies > Department of Philosophy > Junior Professor Philosophy of Economics > Junior Professor Philosophy of Economics - Juniorprof. Dr. Patricia Lynn Rich Faculties Faculties > Faculty of Cultural Studies Faculties > Faculty of Cultural Studies > Department of Philosophy Faculties > Faculty of Cultural Studies > Department of Philosophy > Junior Professor Philosophy of Economics
Result of work at the UBT:	Yes
DDC Subjects:	100 Philosophy and psychology > 100 Philosophy
Date Deposited:	08 Mar 2025 22:01
Last Modified:	10 Mar 2025 07:09
URI:	https://eref.uni-bayreuth.de/id/eprint/92743