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Beyond (and Without) the Invisible Hand. Conceptual Shifts Between Economics and the Theory of Evolution

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Stephen J. Gould: The Scientific Legacy
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Abstract

Conceptual shifts and transfers between evolution theory and political economy are the basis of the dominant economic theory i.e., General Equilibrium Theory. Since Adam Smith, classical political economy assumes that equilibrium is the normal and spontaneous result of economical evolution; orthodox neo-Darwinisme assume that equilibrium and harmony are the normal results of biological evolution. A better understanding of economical and biological phenomena may come from “heterodox” theories, such as marxian et keynesian ones, viewing crisis and non-equilibrium as the normal condition of social reality. A confrontation is proposed between these socio-economical theories and theories of life phenomena developed by recent philosophical and scientific research.

This paper has been translated by Giordano Vintaloro

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Correspondence to Andrea Cavazzini .

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© 2013 Springer-Verlag Italia

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Cavazzini, A. (2013). Beyond (and Without) the Invisible Hand. Conceptual Shifts Between Economics and the Theory of Evolution. In: Danieli, G., Minelli, A., Pievani, T. (eds) Stephen J. Gould: The Scientific Legacy. Springer, Milano. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-5424-0_12

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