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 Originally Posted by MadMojoMonkey
I strongly disagree.
The scientific method does not assume consistency of phenomena; it reveals consistency of phenomena; it ignores inconsistent phenomena. It does not stipulate that all phenomena are consistent. It doesn't even stipulate that the scientific method is the best method.
It just says, "I am a method which seems to work pretty well at helping humans to assemble a set of statements which are 'true,'" in the sense that we can make predictions about the future of certain things in the real world and play fun games on our cell phones.
I do agree that one cannot really have any faith in the predictive power of scientific results if one does not believe in consistency of phenomena. That said, how many times do you need to see a prediction come true before you start to question this hold-out position you have espoused on consistency? I'd think at the very least, you might come to the conclusion that, while consistency hasn't been proved (as such), it does seem to allow us to make cool toys if we pretend that the consistency we think we know is at least going to keep up for a few more years.
I pulled the "consistency of phenomena" from another source. I don't have any philosophy of knowledge training or anything, so I can't get into the nitty gritty of this.
Outside of that, I'm a little confused since some of what you say looks like you're in agreement.
What are the other base assumptions along with "People are rational actors?"
I'm not well-versed in them, but here are three assumptions for the neoclassical metatheory: 1. People have rational preferences among outcomes. 2. Individuals maximize utility and firms maximize profits. 3. People act independently on the basis of full and relevant information.
Pulled from here: http://www.econlib.org/library/Enc1/...Economics.html
What are the strongest theories in economics and what evidence is used to support them?
What would constitute a valid counter-example to refute these ideas?
Honestly I don't know how to classify this stuff correctly. Neoclassical economics is a theory. Moral hazard is a theory. There's the Efficient Market Hypothesis, Supply and Demand, monetarism, Austrian economics, Keynesian economics, Rational Choice theory, and many others.
I'd probably say that most things in economics can be derived from supply and demand, but really when it comes to the technical, qualitative construction of theory, I'm out of my depth.
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