Jevons on the Ricardian Theory of Distribution. An Interpretation

Abstract

The paper reconstructs Jevons' strategy of interpretation of Ricardian economics in the light of some hermeneutic categories. Jevons' basic goal appears to be a critical assessment of the net scientific content of Classical economics. He envisages a three steps exegetical strategy: first he points out the scientific standards all economic theories should conform to and elaborates his new economic theory in compliance with these standards; then he scrutinizes the corpus of received economic doctrines in the light of his theory and, finally, he passes his sentence. Jevons' belief that truth in economics is one prevents him to recognize that what he calls scientific errors may actually be theoretical differences