The aim of this thesis is to explore the impact of entropy, a physical phenomenon, on the field of economics and its development. The first chapter provides a brief overview of the emergence of entropy in physics to establish its origin. It then delves into the ideas and contributions of notable figures like Frederick Soddy and Nicholas Georgescu-Roegen, who hold great significance in relation to this topic. The chapter concludes by offering insights into specific branches of economics that can be viewed as direct outcomes of applying the concept of entropy to the discipline. Moving on to the second chapter, attention is directed towards the methodological changes brought about by entropy in economics. The discussion begins with Remenyi's exposition of the methodological foundation, referred to as the "hard-core" in Lakatos' terminology, of neoclassical economics. Subsequently, the chapter explores various methodological innovations introduced in different branches of economic theory. Lastly, the third and final chapter presents a concrete application of the entropy phenomenon to the subject of economics, illustrating its practical implications.
L’obiettivo di questa tesi è discutere dell’impatto che il fenomeno fisico dell’entropia ha avuto nel mondo dell’economia e, più precisamente, nel suo sviluppo. Con questa finalità, il primo capitolo tratta brevemente della emergenza del fenomeno dell’entropia nella fisica, per dare contesto alla sua origine, per poi passare attraverso le idee e i lavori di diverse personalità estremamente significative per l’argomento trattato, come Frederick Soddy e Nicholas Georgescu-Roegen. Il capitolo prosegue e si conclude con degli scorci su dei rami dell’economia che si possono considerare potenzialmente figli dell’applicazione dell’entropia alla disciplina economica. Il secondo capitolo è incentrato sui cambiamenti che l’entropia ha portato nell’economia a livello metodologico. Difatti, il punto di partenza è la presentazione dell’hard-core metodologico, nella terminologia di Lakatos, da parte di Remenyi dell’economia neoclassica, alla quale segue la descrizione di alcune importanti innovazioni metodologiche introdotte in alcuni rami della teoria economica, e una critica del cosiddetto “imperialismo” degli strumenti neoclassici. Infine, il terzo e ultimo capitolo porta il caso concreto di un’applicazione del fenomeno entropia nel campo economico.
Entropy in the history of economic thought
SARI, ALBERTO
2022/2023
Abstract
The aim of this thesis is to explore the impact of entropy, a physical phenomenon, on the field of economics and its development. The first chapter provides a brief overview of the emergence of entropy in physics to establish its origin. It then delves into the ideas and contributions of notable figures like Frederick Soddy and Nicholas Georgescu-Roegen, who hold great significance in relation to this topic. The chapter concludes by offering insights into specific branches of economics that can be viewed as direct outcomes of applying the concept of entropy to the discipline. Moving on to the second chapter, attention is directed towards the methodological changes brought about by entropy in economics. The discussion begins with Remenyi's exposition of the methodological foundation, referred to as the "hard-core" in Lakatos' terminology, of neoclassical economics. Subsequently, the chapter explores various methodological innovations introduced in different branches of economic theory. Lastly, the third and final chapter presents a concrete application of the entropy phenomenon to the subject of economics, illustrating its practical implications.File | Dimensione | Formato | |
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https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12608/53669