The „Social Question" answered ,more geometrico'

On the Social and Philosophical Inspiration of the Foundation of Mathematical Economics by Léon Walras

Abstract

Mainstream economics tends to view its historical process of mathematicization as a „powerful, irresistible current of thought“ (Debreu), perfectly motivated by the application of deductive methodology to a quantified object-domain. This interpretation stands in sharp contrast to the historical background of mathematical economics as founded by Léon Walras: the French school of political economy following J.-B. Say combines deductivism with a strong resistance to mathematicization. Rather than simply being an emulation of rational mechanics, Walrasian general equilibrium theory is motivated by natural law issues related to the „social question“.