Why do Evaluative Histories Matter after all?

Abstract

The question of progress in economic knowledge during its historical development has been thoroughly treated several times in the past by many eminent economists, historians of thought, and philosophers (Stigler 1965, 1983; Worswick 1972; Blaug 1985, 2000; Hausman 1989; Khalil 1995; Backhouse 1997). Although this tenacity in wondering about progress proves that it has a real importance, a growing number of economists suggest that it has no meaning, either because it is useless, or because it is too exigent for economics.