Qualitative Economics: Towards a Science of Economics

                     This book is about science -- specifically, the science of economics. Or lack thereof is more accurate. The building of any science, let alone economics, is grounded in the understanding of what is beneath the "surface" of economics. Science, and hence economics, should be concerned with formulating ideas that express theories which produce descriptions of how to understand phenomenon and real world experiences.

                      Economics must become a science, because the essence of economics in terms of human actions, group interactions and communities are in need of scientific inquiry. Academics and scholars need a scientific perspective that can hypothesize, theorize document, understand and analyze human dynamics from the individual to more societal interactions. And that is what qualitative economics does; it can make economics into becoming a science. The economic actions of people, groups and their networks are organizations and communities interacting in everyday of life, trying to construct the future and making sense of the present. In short, this book examines the philosophical roots underneath science itself and how it applies to economics. The theoretical development from this philosophical tradition is seen in different schools of contemporary social science thought ranging from phenomenology, hermeneutic, ethnomethodology, linguistics and symbolic interactionism.

In short, the entire volume is a landmark in economic theory and practice, because it challenges the roots and paradigm of contemporary economic theory. But advances economics along a pathway to becoming a science. The book presents a strong set of core philosophical arguments directed toward making economics a true science. In short, this volume will lead to further debate and discussion of economics becoming a science. As all scientific inquiry should do - review data and information in order to create a new or different perspective.

Part I reviews the philosophical roots of the Lifeworld tradition are primarily European. Lifeworld can be traced in order to set the stage for the interactionism subjectivist theoretical perspective. Part II of the book explores the application of the Lifeworld tradition to business economics.