Empirical Realism as Meta-Method: Tony Lawson on Neoclassical Economics

This paper is a critical examination of Tony Lawson?s interpretation of neoclassical economics. It argues that neoclassical economics is not inspired by the philosophy of empirical realism as Lawson claims. The critical argument is made by considering the actual practice of neoclassical theorizing as well as by examining what methodological commentators have traditionally said about the discipline of economics. The conclusion comments briefly on the implications of the argument.