A General Theory of Methodenstreits in Economic Science
The article contains an attempt to formulate a theory of Methodenstreits in economic theory. A Methodenstreit is understood as a period when more abstract (deductive) and more concrete (inductive) methods of investigation clash because of technical improvements in either of them. After a heated debate each side seeks to incorporate the achivements of the opponent. This general scheme is illustrated by the classical Methodenstreit between Schmoler and Menger and a more recent one between mainstream (predominantly neoclassical) and behavioural economics.