Investigation of the Intelligibility of Mathematical Methods

Abstract

We may now turn to the second of our criteria for fecundity, which is the question whether mathematical or verbal logic is preferable in economic theory from the point of view of intelligibility or ‘clearness’ (Anschaulichkeit). By this term is intended that characteristic of a thinking process which makes it possible to attain pure perception of the inner nature of intrinsic forms and categories without need for special conceptual preparation. The problem arises of finding a practical yardstick for our concept ‘intelligibility’ and a way of applying this yardstick to processes of thought. To put this more simply, we need a way of answering the question in what circumstances and under what conditions any given process is more ‘intelligible’ than another process.