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Philosophy, politics and economics
List of University of Oxford people with PPE degrees - Wikipedia
Philosophy, politics and economics - Wikipedia
The programme is rooted in the view that to understand social phenomena one must approach them from several complementary disciplinary directions and analytical frameworks. In this regard, the study of philosophy is considered important because it both equips students with meta-tools such as the ability to reason rigorously and logically, and facilitates ethical reflection. The study of politics is considered necessary because it acquaints students with the institutions that govern society and help solve collective action problems. Finally, studying economics is seen as vital in the modern world because political decisions often concern economic matters, and government decisions are often influenced by economic events. The vast majority of students at Oxford drop one of the three subjects for the second and third years of their course. Oxford now has more than 600 undergraduates studying the subject, admitting over 200 each year.[25]
Academic opinions
Oxford PPE graduate Nick Cohen and former tutor Iain McLean consider the course's breadth important to its appeal, especially "because British society values generalists over specialists". Academic and Labour peer Maurice Glasman noted that "PPE combines the status of an elite university degree – PPE is the ultimate form of being good at school – with the stamp of a vocational course. It is perfect training for cabinet membership, and it gives you a view of life". However he also noted that it had an orientation towards consensus politics and technocracy.[7]
Geoffrey Evans, an Oxford fellow in politics and a senior tutor, critiques that the Oxford course's success and consequent over-demand is a self-perpetuating feature of those in front of and behind the scenes in national administration, in stating "all in all, it's how the class system works". In the current economic system he bemoans the unavoidable inequalities besetting admissions and thereby enviable recruitment prospects of successful graduates. The argument itself intended as a paternalistic ethical reflection on how governments and peoples can perpetuate social stratification.[10]
Stewart Wood, a former adviser to Ed Miliband who studied PPE at Oxford in the 1980s and taught politics there in the 1990s and 2000s, acknowledged that the programme has been slow to catch up with contemporary political developments, saying that "it does still feel like a course for people who are going to run the Raj in 1936... In the politics part of PPE, you can go three years without discussing a single contemporary public policy issue". He also stated that the structure of the course gave it a centrist bias, due to the range of material covered: "...most students think, mistakenly, that the only way to do it justice is to take a centre position".[7]
Philosophy and economics - Wikipedia
Philosophy and economics studies topics such as public economics, behavioural economics, rationality, justice, history of economic thought, rational choice, the appraisal of economic outcomes, institutions and processes, the status of highly idealized economic models, the ontology of economic phenomena and the possibilities of acquiring knowledge of them.[1]
It is useful to divide philosophy of economics in this way into three subject matters which can be regarded respectively as branches of action theory, ethics (or normative social and political philosophy), and philosophy of science. Economic theories of rationality, welfare, and social choice defend substantive philosophical theses often informed by relevant philosophical literature and of evident interest to those interested in action theory, philosophical psychology, and social and political philosophy.
Economics is of special interest to those interested in epistemology and philosophy of science both because of its detailed peculiarities and because it has many of the overt features of the natural sciences, while its object consists of social phenomena.[2]
Scope
Definition and ontology of economics
The question usually addressed in any subfield of philosophy (the philosophy of X) is "what is X?" A philosophical approach to the question "what is economics?" is less likely to produce an answer than it is to produce a survey of the definitional and territorial difficulties and controversies. Similar considerations apply as a prologue to further discussion of methodology in a subject. Definitions of economics have varied over time from the modern origins of the subject, reflecting programmatic concerns and distinctions of expositors.[3]
Ontological questions continue with further "what is..." questions addressed at fundamental economic phenomena, such as "what is (economic) value?" or "what is a market?". While it is possible to respond to such questions with real verbal definitions, the philosophical value of posing such questions actually aims at shifting entire perspectives as to the nature of the foundations of economics. In the rare cases that attempts at ontological shifts gain wide acceptance, their ripple effects can spread throughout the entire field of economics.[4]
Methodology and epistemology of economics
An epistemology deals with how we know things. In the philosophy of economics this means asking questions such as: what kind of a "truth claim" is made by economic theories – for example, are we claiming that the theories relate to reality or perceptions? How can or should we prove economic theories – for example, must every economic theory be empirically verifiable? How exact are economic theories and can they lay claim to the status of an exact science – for example, are economic predictions as reliable as predictions in the natural sciences, and why or why not? Another way of expressing this issue is to ask whether economic theories can state "laws". Philosophers of science and economists have explored these issues intensively since the work of Alexander Rosenberg and Daniel M. Hausman dating to 3 decades ago.[5]
Rational choice, decision theory and game theory
Philosophical approaches in decision theory focus on foundational concepts in decision theory – for example, on the natures of choice or preference, rationality, risk and uncertainty, and economic agents.[6] Game theory is shared between a number of disciplines, but especially mathematics, economics and philosophy. Game theory is still extensively discussed within the field of the philosophy of economics. Game theory is closely related to and builds on decision theory and is likewise very strongly interdisciplinary.[7]
Ethics and justice
The ethics of economic systems deals with the issues such as how it is right (just, fair) to keep or distribute economic goods. Economic systems as a product of collective activity allow examination of their ethical consequences for all of their participants. Ethics and economics relates ethical studies to welfare economics.[8] It has been argued that a closer relation between welfare economics and modern ethical studies may enrich both areas, even including predictive and descriptive economics as to rationality of behavior, given social interdependence.[9]
Ethics and justice overlap disciplines in different ways. Approaches are regarded as more philosophical when they study the fundamentals – for example, John Rawls' A Theory of Justice (1971)[10] and Robert Nozick's Anarchy, State and Utopia (1974). 'Justice' in economics is a subcategory of welfare economics[11] with models frequently representing the ethical-social requirements of a given theory. "Practical" matters include such subjects as law[12] and cost–benefit analysis[13]
Utilitarianism, one of the ethical methodologies, has its origins inextricably interwoven with the emergence of modern economic thought. Today utilitarianism has spread throughout applied ethics as one of a number of approaches. Non-utilitarian approaches in applied ethics are also now used when questioning the ethics of economic systems – e.g. rights-based (deontological) approaches.[14]
Many political ideologies have been an immediate outgrowth of reflection on the ethics of economic systems. Marx, for example, is generally regarded primarily as a philosopher, his most notable work being on the philosophy of economics. However, Marx's economic critique of capitalism did not depend on ethics, justice, or any form of morality, instead focusing on the inherent contradictions of capitalism through the lens of a process which is today called dialectical materialism.
Non-mainstream economic thinking
The philosophy of economics defines itself as including the questioning of foundations or assumptions of economics. The foundations and assumption of economics have been questioned from the perspective of noteworthy but typically under-represented groups. These areas are therefore to be included within the philosophy of economics.
- Praxeology: a deductive theory of human action based on premises presumed to be philosophically true (following the analytic–synthetic distinction of Immanuel Kant). Developed by Ludwig von Mises within the Austrian School, is a self-conscious opposition to the mathematical modeling and hypothesis-testing to validate neoclassical economics.[15][16]
- Cross-cultural perspectives on economics, and economic anthropology: an example is the Buddhist-inspired Bhutanese "Gross National Happiness" concept (suggested as a better development measure than GNI/GDP). Amartya Sen is a renowned advocate for the integration of cross-cultural phenomena into economic thinking.[17]
- Feminist perspectives on economics, or feminist economics.[18]
Scholars cited in the literature
Related disciplines
The ethics of economic systems is an area of overlap between business ethics and the philosophy of economics. People who write on the ethics of economic systems are more likely to call themselves political philosophers than business ethicists or economic philosophers. There is significant overlap between theoretical issues in economics and the philosophy of economics. As economics is generally accepted to have its origins in philosophy, the history of economics overlaps with the philosophy of economics.
Degrees
Some universities offer joint degrees that combine philosophy, politics and economics. These degrees cover many of the problems that are discussed in Philosophy and Economics, but are more broadly construed. A small number of universities, notably the London School of Economics, University of Edinburgh,[19] the Erasmus University Rotterdam, Copenhagen Business School, the University of Vienna[20] the University of Bayreuth and the University of Hamburg offer master's degree programs specialized in philosophy, politics and economics.
Journals
See also
Philosophy, politics and economics, or politics, philosophy and economics (PPE), is an interdisciplinary undergraduate or postgraduate degree which combines study from three disciplines. The first institution to offer degrees in PPE was the University of Oxford in the 1920s.
This particular course has produced a significant number of notable graduates such as Aung San Suu Kyi, Burmese politician and State Counsellor of Myanmar, Nobel Peace Prize winner; Princess Haya bint Hussein, daughter of the late King Hussein of Jordan; Christopher Hitchens, the British–American author and journalist;[1][2] Will Self, British author and journalist;[3][4] Oscar-winning writer and director Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck; Philippa Foot and Michael Dummett, philosophers; Harold Wilson, Edward Heath, David Cameron, Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak,[5] Prime Ministers of the United Kingdom; Hugh Gaitskell, Michael Foot, William Hague and Ed Miliband, former Leaders of the Opposition; former Prime Ministers of Pakistan Benazir Bhutto and Imran Khan; and Malcolm Fraser, Bob Hawke and Tony Abbott, former Prime Ministers of Australia.[6][7] The course received fresh attention in 2017, when Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai earned a place.[8][9]
In the 1980s, the University of York went on to establish its own PPE degree based upon the Oxford model; King's College London, the University of Warwick, the University of Manchester, and other British universities later followed. According to the BBC, the Oxford PPE "dominate[s] public life" (in the UK).[10] It is now offered at several other leading colleges and universities around the world. More recently Warwick University and King’s College added a new degree under the name of PPL (Politics, Philosophy and Law) with the aim to bring an alternative to the more classical PPE degrees.
In the United States, it is offered by over 50 colleges and universities, including three Ivy League schools and a large number of public universities.[11] Harvard University began offering a similar degree in Social Studies in 1960, which combines politics, philosophy, and economics with history and sociology.[citation needed] In 2020, in addition to its undergraduate degree programs in PPE, Virginia Tech joined the Chapman University's Smith Institute as among the first research centers in the world dedicated to interdisciplinary research in PPE.[12][13] Several PPE programs exist in Canada, most notably the first endowed school in the nation – the Frank McKenna School of Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Mount Allison University.[14] In Asia, Tsinghua University, Waseda University, NUS, Tel-Aviv University and Ashoka University are among those that have PPE or similar programs.[15][16][17][18][19]
Southeast Asia
Singapore
Thailand
- Rangsit University, Thailand
- Thammasat University, Thailan
- Taylor
College, Malaysia
East Asia
Greater China
- Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Peking University,[209] Beijing, China
- Renmin University of China,[210] Beijing, China
- Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
- Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Nankai University, Tianjin, China
- Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Wuhan, China
- Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, China
- Hang Seng University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Japan
- Waseda University, Japan[2
Oceania
Australia
- Australian National University[161]
- Deakin University[162]
- La Trobe University[163]
- University of Adelaide[164]
- University of New South Wales[165]
- University of Queensland[166]
- University of Technology, Sydney[167]
- University of Western Australia[168]
- University of Wollongong
- Murdoch University[169] (appears as a unit in Philosophy (BA) or Ethics minor)
- Monash University[170]
New Zealand
United Kingdom
- Birkbeck, University of London[26]
- Durham University[27]
- Goldsmiths, University of London[28]
- Keele University
- King's College London[29]
- Kingston University[30]
- Lancaster University[31]
- London School of Economics[32]
- The Open University[33]
- Queen's University Belfast[34]
- Royal Holloway, University of London[35]
- SOAS University of London[36]
- Swansea University[37]
- University College London[38]
- University of Aberdeen[39]
- University of Buckingham[40]
- New College of the Humanities at Northeastern[41]
- University of East Anglia[42]
- University of Edinburgh
- University of Essex[43]
- University of Exeter[44]
- University of the Highlands and Islands
- University of Hull[45]
- University of Leeds[46]
- University of Liverpool[47]
- University of Loughborough[48]
- University of Manchester[49]
- University of Nottingham
- University of Oxford[50]
- University of Reading
- University of Sheffield
- University of Southampton[51]
- University of Stirling[52]
- University of Sussex[53]
- University of Warwick[54]
- University of Winchester[55]
- University of York[56]
Ireland
- National University of Ireland, Maynooth[57]
- UCD, National University of Ireland
- Trinity College, The University of Dublin
North America
Canada
- Mount Allison University (within the Frank McKenna School of Philosophy, Politics, & Economics)[58]
- Queen's University[59]
- The King's University[60]
- University of British Columbia (Okanagan Campus)[61]
- University of Regina[62]
- University of Western Ontario[63][64]
- Wilfrid Laurier University[65]
United States
- Arizona State University (certificate)[66]
- Austin College[67]
- Belmont Abbey College[68]
- Binghamton University[69] (under the designation of "PPL" - replacing economics with law)
- Bowie State University[70]
- Bowling Green State University[71] (under the designation of "PPEL" - with law)
- Boyce College[72]
- Bridgewater State University (minor)[73]
- Calvin University[74]
- Carnegie Mellon University[75] (under the designation "Ethics, History, and Public Policy", abbreviated "EHPP")
- Carroll University[76]
- Claremont McKenna College[77]
- Criswell College[78]
- Dallas Baptist University[79]
- Dartmouth College[80] (under the modified major of "Politics, Philosophy, and the Economy")
- Denison University[81]
- Drexel University[82]
- Duke University[83] (certificate)
- Eastern Oregon University[84][85]
- Elon University (minor)[86]
- Emory & Henry College[87]
- George Mason University[88]
- Georgia State University[89]
- Indiana University of Pennsylvania[90]
- Juniata College[91]
- The King's College[92]
- La Salle University[93]
- Liberty University (online)[94]
- Mercer University[95]
- Minnesota State University, Mankato[96]
- Mount St. Mary's University[97]
- Murphy Institute[98] (Tulane University, under the designation "Political Economy")
- Northeastern University[99]
- Northwest Nazarene University[100]
- Ohio Northern University[101]
- Ohio State University[102]
- Ottawa University[103]
- Palm Beach Atlantic University[104]
- Pomona College[105]
- Rhodes College[106]
- Rutgers University–New Brunswick (certificate)
- Seattle Pacific University[107]
- Siena Heights University (certificate)[108]
- Spring Hill College[109]
- St. John's University (master's degree)[110]
- State University of New York at Oswego[111]
- Suffolk University[112]
- Swarthmore College[113]
- Taylor University[114]
- Texas Tech University (as a concentration of an Honor Sciences and the Humanities degree)[115]
- Transylvania University[116]
- University of Akron[117]
- University of Alabama at Birmingham[118] (as a concentration of an Economics degree)[119]
- University of Arizona[120] (under the designation "PPEL" - with law)
- University at Buffalo[121]
- University of California, Irvine[122]
- The University of Idaho (minor)[123]
- University of Iowa[124] (under the designation "Ethics & Public Policy")
- The University of Louisville (minor)[125]
- University of Maryland
- University of Michigan[126] (honors program)
- University of Minnesota Morris (as a concentration of a Philosophy degree)[127]
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (minor)[128]
- University of Notre Dame[129] (minor)
- University of Pennsylvania[130]
- University of Pittsburgh[131]
- University of Richmond[132] (under the designation "PPEL" - with law)[133]
- University of Rochester[134]
- University of San Diego (minor)[135]
- University of Sioux Falls (as "Philosophy, Economics, and Political Theory")[136]
- University of Southern California[137]
- University of Virginia[138] (under the designation "PPL" - replacing economics with law)
- University of Washington Bothell[139] (under the designation "Law, Economics & Public Policy", abbreviated "LEPP")
- University of Washington Tacoma[140]
- University of Wisconsin[141] Political Economy, Politics and Philosophy (certificate program)
- Utah State University (certificate)[142]
- Villanova University (honors program and honors minor)[143]
- Virginia Tech[144] (offers both a major and a minor in PPE)
- Wabash College[145]
- Wesleyan University[146] (under the designation "College of Social Studies")
- Western Washington University[147]
- Wheaton College (certificate)[148]
- Wheeling University[149] (under the designation "political and economic philosophy")
- Xavier University (under the designation "Philosophy, Politics, and the Public", abbreviated "PPP")[150]
- Yale University (under the designation "ethics, politics and economics", abbreviated "EP&E")[151]