10 - The historical world of economics

Summary

Schumpeter, who maintained a great interest in the history of economics throughout his academic career, produced an extensive body of work in this field, covering the literature from the Greek period to contemporary times. His books on the subject include Epochen der Dogmen- und Methodengeschichte (1914a), Vergangenheit und Zukunft der Sozialwissenschaften (1915), Ten Great Economists (1951a), History of Economic Analysis (1954a), and Dogmenhistorische und biographische Aufsätze (1954b). Ten Great Economists and Aufsätze are collections of his separate articles edited and published after his death. The History of Economic Analysis, a revision and expansion of his 1914 study, was left unfinished at his death; it was edited and finally published through the efforts of his wife.

A two-structure approach to mind and society

The History of Economic Analysis, a magnum opus exceeding 1,200 pages, is a distinguished achievement among the studies of the history of economics. Outstanding features include its broad scope, the astonishing polymathy and unique judgment of its author, and his penetrating insight in constructing a scenario of scientific history. Although there exist fine historical studies in specific fields of economics and on individual economists, there is no precedent for attempting a doctrinal history that covers such a wide range of economic disciplines, includes not only the top-ranking authors but also many minor figures, and describes the history of economics against an intellectual and social background tracing back to the sources of the Western thought.