Cognitive Economy: The Economic Dimension of the Theory of KnowledgeCost, expected benefits, and risks are paramount in grant agencies' decisions to fund scientific research. In Cognitive Economy, Nicholas Rescher outlines a general theory for the cost-effective use of intellectual resources, amplifying the theories of Charles Sanders Pierce, who stressed an “economy of research.” Rescher discusses the requirements of cooperation, communication, cognitive importance, cognitive economy, as well as the economic factors bearing on induction and simplicity. He then applies his model to several case studies and to clarifying the limits imposed on science by economic considerations. |
Contents
| 3 | |
The Economics of Trust and Cooperation | 33 |
Economic Aspects of Communication | 47 |
Importance and Economic Rationality | 69 |
Induction Simplicity and Cognitive Economy | 82 |
Economics and the Methodology of Inquiry | 108 |
Cost Escalation In Empirical Inquiry | 131 |
Notes | 155 |
Name Index | 167 |
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Cognitive Economy: The Economic Dimension of the Theory of Knowledge Nicholas Rescher No preview available - 1989 |
Common terms and phrases
accept accordingly achieve acquisition Anaximander answer approach basis beliefs bleen Charles Sanders Peirce circumstances claims COGNITIVE ECONOMY cognitive importance color complex contexts cost effective cost-benefit costs and benefits course credibility crucial economic aspect economic considerations economic dimension economic rationality effort ence endeavors enterprise epistemic error escalation fact factors fundamental further given H. H. Price Hans Reichenbach Henri Poincaré human hypotheses inductive reasoning inductive systematicity inherent inquiry interac interactions interest issue J. M. Keynes justified limited matter means ment methodological natural science nitive nomic objective onomies ontological operate overall parametric space phenomena Philosophical physical Popperian practical principle problem procedure questions Raven Paradox ravens realization regard relative Risk avoiders role sceptic scientific progress significant simplest simplicity preference situation Solomon Asch sort substantial sure symmetry TECHNOLOGICAL ESCALATION theoretical theory things tion tive trust