Book Description
This book examines the nature of economic explanation. The author introduces current thinking in the philosophy of science and reviews the literature on methodology. He looks at the status of welfare economics, and also provides a series of case studies of leading economic controversies, showing how they may be illuminated by paying attention to questions of methodology. A final chapter draws the strands together and gives the author's view of what is wrong with modern economics. This book is a revised and updated edition of a classic work on the methodology of economics.
Customer Reviews:
A Classic and a Benchmark.......2002-04-17
This old and very short book on methodology enables novices to enter a philosophocal debate that is fragmented and decentralised. The book uses simple language and tries to educate not impress. Together with Alan Chalmers Mark Blaug is the best starting point for any student. However, it stops in the 1980s and therefore cuts off the debate at a critical point of time.
Time to move on from Lakatos.......2002-02-24
The first edition of this book in 1980 established Blaug as a leading influence in this field, especially in his insistence on the importance of the testability or falsifiability of economic theories.
The first part of the book is a clearly written introduction to the modern philosophy of science. Popper is identified as the pivotal figure between the old positivism and the new heterodoxy of Kuhn, Lakatos and Feyerabend. Unfortunately he is still depicted as a "falsificationist" rather than a critical rationalist, a serious mistake in the first edition which might well have been corrected. Hands and Caldwell have subsequently made that step so perhaps Blaug will fix this in the second revised edition. Lakatos may have been the major influence in this matter of misunderstanding Popper, in any case the time has surely come to move on with the assistance of Popper's theory of metaphysical research programs (which are subjected to critical appraisal) rather than the theory of "untouchable" hard cores that was the legacy of Lakatos.
Blaug may be ready to make a decisive step in this area. Recently, meditating on the outcome of the second Greek Islands conference on methodology, he wrote "I have come slowly and extremely reluctantly to the view that they [the Austrians] are right and that we have all been wrong [on Walrasian general equilibrium]". This concession to the Austrians is a major shift for Blaug and this may enable him to take the next step and perceive the overlap between the Austrian assumptions and the major elements of Popper's program. There include realism, non-determinism, the flux of time, methodological individualism and the uncertainty of knowledge
The second part treats the history of economic methodology. This provides an opportunity to rubbish the modern Austrians for their a priori heuristic postulates (this is the old, or rather the younger, Blaug speaking). There is a chapter on falsificationism, and various other "isms" including operationalism, Friedman's instrumentalism and Samuelson's descriptivism. Unfortunately the treatment of instrumentalism and descriptivism (or conventionalism) falls far short of that which is offered in Boland's The Foundations of Economic Method (1982)
The heart and soul of the book should be the third part which is a methodological appraisal of various aspects of the neoclassical research program. As C Wright Mills pointed out, discussion of methodology in isolation from actual work in progress is unlikely to be fruitful, so this part of the book should stand as a test (a possible falsification) of the value of Blaug's methodological apparatus. It might have been even more helpful to include two of his own special areas of interest - education and the arts, in this section, but perhaps this work is not a part of the neoclassical research program.
The fourth part is a short commentary on what we have now learned about economics with advice on falsificationism, applied econometrics and the best way forward.
It's the handbook of methodology for undergraduate students.......1999-06-19
It's a great book to introduce undergraduate students on economic method topics. Mark Blaug first provides an overall vision of philosophy of science, then comments the method of the economists of the XIXth and XXth century, and finally in the third part he shows the discussion on certain topics such as theory of the firm, human capital capital firm, etc, excellent to start a course-conclusion paper. It's great!
Average customer rating:
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How Economists Explain
Marr William L.
Manufacturer: University Press of America
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 General
| Popular Economics
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 081913192X |
Book Description
A collection of articles on the topic of economic methodology. Economic methodology investigates the concepts, theories, and basic principles of reasoning which are part and parcel of the discipline of economics, or the philosophy of science as applied to economics. Use of the term "economic methodology" is therefore not to be confused with "method," which includes as examination of data collection, sampling, and survey methods. The nine parts of this text include articles by prominent economists such as F. Machlup, R. Heilbroner, A. Coddington, L. Boland, H. Simon, and W. Leontief.
Book Description
This is a book about the most popular, prominent and controversial concept in economics: the invisible hand. The book questions, examines and explicates the strengths and weaknesses of the concept by way of analyzing its paradigmatic examples such as Carl Menger's `Origin of Money' and Thomas Schelling's famous checkerboard model of residential segregation. Based on this analysis, it provides a fresh look at the philosophical literature on models and explanation and develops a philosophical framework for interpreting invisible-hand type of explanations in economics and elsewhere. Finally, the book applies this framework to recent game theoretic models of institutions and outlines the way in which they should be evaluated.
Book Description
- Draws on the author's wealth of practical experience and emphasizes that the elements of change are interrelated, that they constitute a “Web of Change”: change one element and you must see what the impact will be on the others.
- Identifies and explains eight key elements of change.
- A way to measure change in each element and its affect on the others is presented on paper and through a computer program on an enclosed disk.
Customer Reviews:
Very informative.......2001-12-31
This book is extremely helpful and unlike any other organizational change book out there. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in the topic.
Author's Comments.......2001-08-08
This book addreses a market that has really not been tapped. There are many books out there about change but none that address it from a users perspective. This is a "how to do it" book that helps those of you tasked with the difficult process of change in your company to effectively address the issues and make the change process a success. As I say in Chapter 1, "it does more than start you on the road, it accompanies you on the journey." It is well worth your while to obatin a copy and use it as you go through the process.
Average customer rating:
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NMR of Humic Substances and Coal. Techniques, Problems and Solutions
Wershaw
Manufacturer: CRC
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
General & Reference
| Chemistry
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Organic
| Chemistry
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Agricultural Sciences
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
Geochemistry
| Earth Sciences
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
Geochemistry
| Geology
| Earth Sciences
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Agricultural Sciences
| Professional Science
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
General & Reference
| Chemistry
| Professional Science
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
Organic
| Chemistry
| Professional Science
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0873710827 |
Book Description
Four-color manual with 46 exercises and step-by-step procedures. Most can be completed within two hours and require minimal instructor input. Answers are included on the Instructor Book Companion Website. Customization available.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent Job!!!!.......2002-07-26
Thanks for all your help. Fast Shipping. The book was exactly how it was described. Thank You.
Average customer rating:
- There is much info about polar animals.
|
Questions and answers about polar animals
Michael Chinery
Manufacturer: Scholastic Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
| Baby-3
| Ages 4-8
| Ages 9-12
| Animals
| Arts & Music
| Books on Cassette
| Books on CD
| Authors & Illustrators, A-Z
| Computers
| Educational
| History & Historical Fiction
| Issues
| Literature
| Obsessions
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| Reference & Nonfiction
| Religions
| Science, Nature & How It Works
| Series
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| Audiobooks
General
| Zoology
| Biological Sciences
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0439099633 |
Customer Reviews:
There is much info about polar animals........1999-01-18
Colorful pictures help you understand what the animals look like and the descriptions are good.
Book Description
"Jumping Rope the Second Time Around" is the first book written on the backward twirling style of jump roping. The book was written primarily for a busy adult audience looking for an inexpensive easy to learn and fun alternative exercise program that could be done just about anywhere and at anytime. Unlike jump roping books currently available and targeting the adult audience, "Jumping Rope the Second Time Around" demonstrates how the backward twirling and multidirectional movement techniques are safer for an older audience especially for those who have suffered from repetitive stress injuries to their wrists, or have concerns about stress and impact on their ankles, knees, and lower back. The book also demonstrates how one is able to condition all of the major muscle groups of the upper and lower body by doing exercises such as "biceps curls", "rowing", and "rope walking" - all of which are techniques using the jump rope as the only piece of exercise equipment needed.
To date, all of the books and videos on jump roping for adults teach the same technique used to teach children. Often times little consideration is given to the fact that using a "childhood" technique can be injurious to an adult body which undoubtedly has gone through many physical changes over the years. Briefly, forward twirling and stationary jumping creates premature muscle fatigue as well as impact and stress to the ankles, knees, and lower back. The backward twirling and multidirectional movement techniques virtually eliminate stress to these parts of the body.
Not only does "Jumping Rope the Second Time Around" provide the reader with a safer and more efficient workout, it is also in a user friendly format. It provides the reader with tips on stretching and on ways to reduce stress at work and at home; it provides travel tips for working out while on business travel or vacation, and it contains a letter of commitment, and several workout charts which are duplicated and perforated for easy removal. Perhaps one the most unique features of the book is that it is only 9" x 4" (approximately the size of any airline ticket jacket)and is spiral bound. Thus, the book is just as portable as the jump rope itself. Another feature included in the book are inspirational/motivational quotes from notable people such as Oliver Wendell Holmes, John F. Kennedy, Mohandas Ghandi, Vince Lombardi, and Muhammed Ali.
Without any tricks or gimmicks, "Jumping Rope the Second Time Around" provides the reader with a new look at an old pastime activity.
Customer Reviews:
Awesome!.......2006-12-07
This is an excellent way to stay in shape. I've tried it and it works! I commend the author for such an innovative and extremely easy way to jump rope and stay fit. Everyone should read this book. It's the best I've seen out there. Do yourself a favor -- buy this book, you will not be sorry.
A little surprising.......2006-07-10
The book that arrived (as a gift) was a small spiral bound pamphlet that appears to be self-published. No one would have thought it should cost more than $8-$10. And there seems to be a religious/spiritual content; for example, there are quotes from "The Daily Word", The Holy Bible, as well as "Tao Te Ching".
All Around Athlete With Bad Knees.......2002-03-03
I'm a 36 year old aerobic instructor, runner, High-school volleyball and basketball coach, K-12th grade physical education teacher, and an all around athlete who is always looking for new and exciting workouts. I was sad when I found out that I had bursitis in my knees . The condition was from all the years of pounding on the hard gym floor and running on pavement. I was elated to read the book "Jumping Rope The Second Time Around". I thought that at first my poor knees would not take the jumping. I was not thinking of the innovative jumping technique taught by Mr. Carlos Coffman. The Irope technique does not put any stress on the knees, and the backward twirling of the rope does not fatigue the arms. Therefore I have the energy and endurance to rope longer. The book is very easy to follow. It is like having Mr. Coffman right by your side teaching you the Irope techniques. My daughter, who is 11, is learning to Irope . If you have a kid that does not like traditional sports, but will jump rope, Irope is probably something you might like to try. I live in the San Antonio area and we have been labeled one of the fattest cities. So my daughter and myself Irope at least 30-45 minutes 5 days a week. And she loves it, I love it. Irope is fun and challenging and we're exercising as a family. I can think of 6 reasons to Irope:
1. Inexpensive
2. Portable
3. The whole family can do it
4. Full body workout
5. It's fun
6. It works
Look for me in 4 to 6 months doing my first Irope race.
-Teresa
Youngest Iroper.......2002-03-03
...I have the book "Jumping Rope The Second Time Around" and it's very easy to follow along with. I am the first child to do the irope method. I'm surprised because it's so easy.... -Courtney Acklin
JUMP TO IT.......2001-02-27
It's the best overall workout, in a very simple program. Keep an open mind and a willing attitude to try your best, no matter what your current level of fitness is....you SHALL be challanged. This is an effective way to get in shape and increase your stamina, plus acheive a whole new level of fitness. The program works for anyone, the most helpful feature is being are able to chart your progress in the forms provided. There are various drills that can target specific sports if you so choose. Finding time to workout has always been my challange, but this technique takes less time and it's fun. When people see you IROPE for the first time, yes they will stare, but only to try to figure out HOW you are doing this so easily. Soon you will have all your friends joining in on the fun!
It's a great book, share it!
Book Description
A major work integrating the herbal traditions of the East with those of the West by the bestselling author of "The Way of Herbs". This practical handbook and reference guide is a landmark publication in this field. For unprecedented usefulness in practical applications, the author provides a comprehensive listing of the more than 400 medicinal herbs available in the west, classified according to their chemical constituents, properties and actions, indicated uses and suggested dosages.
Customer Reviews:
Simply amazing.......2006-07-25
I had always eyed this book, and now wish I had broken down and bought it earlier. Tierra has put so much information in these pages its breathtaking, a wonderful way to blend Ayurveda, TCM, and Western herbalism. With the popularity of the internet and with herbalists exploring different cultures and enjoying different aspects of various paths, this book should become a welcome addition to libraries everywhere. Tierra digs into the background of all three branches, breaking down the basics of each area of thought, including more than 400 herbs and their details. It gives Western herbalists another way to view herbs and their actions, which makes the book worth it on its own.
With all lined up beside each other in "The Nature of herbs", it's easier to see similiarities between each. If you're in the market for a book that enables you to accurately learn about an herb in whichever culture, this is the one to go to.
Wonderful Book, everyone should have a copy.......1997-06-25
I have every single one of this authors books. The information in them is terrific, including this one. It covers the different types of herbal philosophies. Mainly the Chinese and Ayurvedic systems. He integrates them both with western herbs, and makes it work. I won't say his book has everything and every herb but it has a lot, and some of the more unusual herbs you usually can't find in the regular every day herb books. It's wonderful, and worth every penny you pay for it
Book Description
The Planetary Herbology book by Dr. Michael Tierra is combined with the Planetary Herbology Computer Program which allows you to look up and utilize the information from the book right from your computer. Written for Windows 95 or higher this program is extremely fast and useful and includes at no extra charge hundreds of color photos of herbs as well as a powerful research editor so you can customize the database to include your own information and notes.
Book Description
This combination of book and computer disk allows you to work with herbs in a totally new way! Now you can look up the information contained in the book on your computer. Look up by herb, by action, by contra-indication, or by symptom. The optional Research Editor allows you to customize the database. Requires IBM compatible computer and 8 MB of hard drive space. Set includes book, computer disks in 3.5 and 5.25 inch format and manual. This is the DOS/Windows 3.1 version. While it will work under Windows 95, we strongly recommend that those who want to use Windows 95 obtain the Windows 95 CD Rom version of the program which has substantial enhancements.
Customer Reviews:
Its perfect.......2007-10-04
This is one the of the best approached to acting. It makes everything clear.
Also an easy read.
No Acting Please.......2007-06-03
I am personally an Eric Morris actor. I live in Los Angeles and I attend his workshop weekly. Having actually experienced his Craft personally and by watching hundreds of others come and go, and succeed and fail: it has become strikingly obvious to me that his Work works. One of the elements of this uniquely personal Craft is that it can be very overwhelming and emotionally draining. Through my two plus years of experience in the Work, I have found that very few Eric Morris actors actually uses the Craft exactly as it is intended. I believe as do many of my contemporaries that the Craft provides the actor with a limitless supply of "acting" tools, which encourage the actor to experience truthfully. It is painfully obvious that "truth" or an organic expression of impulses and emotions is severely lacking in theatre, television and on screen. There is not one person who has come to class and gone on stage who has not gone through a substantial growth. Being a student of acting my entire life, on a constant pursuit of truth in my work, and having over 25 teachers since first grade: I have found the one teacher on the planet who can answer all of the difficult questions actors ask about the mysterious art of acting. If you have a thirst for truth in your acting and in how you live your life, you foolish to remain ignorant of Eric Morris.
Acting that makes sense..........2005-12-14
I'll admit that at first glance Eric Morris's System can seem scary and misaligned. But I believe it to be a very misunderstood system.
I too was skeptical in the beginning, but after studying this technique (with Eric, but mostly with Anthony Vincent Bova in NYC, Eric's protégé), and after seeing the difference from "acting" and what this Work creates, there's no way I'd ever go back to the "acting" form.
Eric Morris teaches the actor how to react honestly and in the moment, including everything that's going on inside and out-the other actor, the props, the imagined objects that one might be working for-that impels you to "do" whatever the character is required to "do", but out of a real reaction, not just because you're doing it.
I've studied Adler, Strasberg, Meisner, and with Robert Lewis. I've hashed through the process of verbs, actions, objectives, obstacles, and onward; and they're all good and dandy for figuring out what's going on in a script, what the characters are doing and why; but other than that, these techniques never helped me figure out HOW to make it real to ME... How to get to a place where I'm actually functioning from a real, organic, truthful state ... How to get to the point where I am "doing" all the script tells me to do, fulfilling the "actions," out of an honest REACTION to what's going on.... Not just "playing" as if I am; how, in essence, creating the realities of the character....
No matter where you go, all the great teachers (and actors) say the same thing, "Acting is reacting." Even the most used and cherished word in the actor's language, LISTENING, is about focusing outside of yourself and REACTING to what is there. This Work trains the actor to create the stimuli that will fulfill the demands of the piece, specifically, wholly, and with Truth.
For the most part, plays and movies are imagined circumstances, and we as actors, have to create stimuli to react from, so we're not just faking, or indicating our performance. I'd rather watch two people have a relationship on film or on stage, than two actors reciting words, no matter how well they "act" it. If they don't believe it, I won't. This System trains you to create those stimuli and REACT to them honestly, fully and truthfully.
A crucial part of Eric's System is based on Instrumental Work, which is the process of identifying blocks and fears and tensions to expression and, one-by-one, through the use of hundreds of exercises, eliminating them. It's really about self-awareness-learning about yourself and how you function, so you can "get out of your way" and function truthfully on stage or film and get to where you need to get to in a scene. I think this is the aim of every method, but I feel that this System is the only one to address the issues of the actor on a personal level. If I'm tense and depressed (in real life; me the actor), I'm not going to be able to REACT truthfully in a scene where the character has just won the lottery and is jumping with joy. If I push for the emotion, I'll be faking and will "act" that I'm joyful. If this is enough for you, then Eric's work is definitely not your thing. But if you're looking for creating reality and REACTING with truth, nothing surpasses this Work.
I know that Meryl Streep, Brando, Ed Norton, Johnny Depp, Jack Nicholson, Al Pacino, Robert DeNiro, and a handful of other amazing actors don't fake it, don't just indicate the realities of the character and the circumstances. They create them. Be it imagined stimuli they are creating, or through the available stimulus around them, they open themselves up and REACT truthfully to everything -the other actors, the set, the space, the props, the object or person via Sense Memory, etc. I KNOW they do this for a fact! They've talked about it for years.
Eric helps you get to the place that they do-where you can function truthfully, where your instrument is accessible and available, where you are open and are willing to go where the character needs to go, emotionally, psychologically, and physically.
My advice is read Eric's books. If they pique any interest in you, if they strike a cord, study with Eric or Anthony, or at least contact them for further information about the system. I think you'll be quite surprised and utterly amazed at the tools this Work can provide you as an actor.
Proceed with extreme caution.......2003-07-25
I give this book a fairly high rating because all acting technique is personal. An actor's job in receiving training is to simply find the approach that works best for the individual. Method acting simply means to find one's own method. While responses to acting texts, approaches and classes are always subjective, one should always remain open for new ideas.
That said I reject Eric Morris' approach to acting on a personal and professional level.
As every actor knows (or at least should know), his/her job is "to do nothing more than to be believable while telling the best possible story that serves the script" (Bruce Morris). Or as Stanislavski defines acting: "Acting is living truthfully under imaginary circumstances". The root of an actor's technique must always be action. Again with Stanislavski: "while on stage, an actor must always be enacting something". Action verbs are the basis of all acting/storytelling craft. An audience does not pay precious money to watch an actor have an emotional moment, but rather to have the moment themselves.
All the great acting teachers, building upon the work of Stanislavski, have stressed the importance of finding and playing an action as opposed to an emotion. Robert Lewis, Sanford Meisner, Stella Adler, Uta Hagen, Michael Checkov and even Lee Strassberg (although he ventured too far into the emotional realm) all taught students to find the appropriate action and embrace that reality as the basis for their storytelling craft. Emotions are the by product of a person engaging in an action and either failing or succeeding in the quest to fulfill that action.
Eric Morris' approach, centers on "Being" exercises. He asks his students to simply get up in front of a group of people and simply "Be". As related in this book, he proceeds to grill them about their day and call them on the carpet for any false emotion as he dredges for some emotional moment. Morris' approach, at least to this reader, comes off as simply another example of acting teacher "power tripping" as well as pseudo-therapy hidden in the guise of acting. This approach simply leads to the teacher holding such power over his/her students as they become obsessed with pleasing the teacher as opposed to truly pleasing the audience.
This approach leads to emotionally crippling an actor. Actor's become obsessed with evaluating their acting on the basis of whether or not they "felt" the scene. If an actor finds they cannot reach the emotion, they immediately fill themselves with a great sense of guilt and personal disgust at their inability to produce an emotion. Acting should ultimately be a freeing experience as well as a fun and celebratory bit of life. Many acting teachers and actors, bowing under the weight of thousands of years of social stigma feel that they must deny the "fun" factor of acting and make it a painful and serious affair.
As any director or acting teacher can attest, when one simply asks an actor to "be" on stage, one will watch an actor squirm, blink and fold inside him/her self. Put an actor on stage and ask him/her to push a giant stone up a mountain, one will watch a fantastic story filled with all the emotional truth an audience could ever hope to find.
The key to acting is not "being" it is in fact "doing". Apparently Morris has a workbook that combines the two concepts. I will certainly read that as well- again the justification for the high rating. I am still learning my craft and I pray I will always continue to do so.
NO ACTING PLEASE is certainly worth reading and worth trying though so that one can form their own opinion. After trying Morris' approach, this review is simply my opinion. Proceed with caution.
Eric Morris is a genius.......2003-01-17
After reading Eric's brilliant books, I was curious to see what "the man" was like in person. WOW! "No Acting Please" is an incredible primer for actually studying with Eric. Eric brings the principles of "No Acting Please," "Being And Doing" and "Irreverant Acting" to life in his 2-day seminars. I don't care how long you've been acting or how accomplished you think you are - what this man teaches, in writing and in person, cannot even have a value put on it. I'm a regular on a Top 15 drama series, and when I first started studying with Eric about 6 months ago I realized how little I really know. He's taken my acting to new heights, heights I never thought I could reach. He made me excited to be an actor again. You can't put a price on passion. I highly recommend reading Eric's books (get ALL of them) and sitting in on his seminar. Check out his website too.
Books:
- The Middle East in the World Economy, 1800-1914
- The New Competition: Institutions of Industrial Restructuring
- The Perverse Economy: The Impact of Markets on People and the Environment
- The Physical Foundation of Economics: An Analytical Thermodynamic Theory
- The Politics of Boom and Bust in Twentieth-Century America: A Macroeconomic History
- The Social Economics of Poverty On Identities, Communities, Groups and Networks (Priorities for Development Economics)
- The Voluntary City: Choice, Community, and Civil Society (Economics, Cognition, and Society)
- The Wealthy Pauper
- The Well-Being of the Elderly in Asia: A Four-Country Comparative Study
- Uncertainty in Economics: Readings and Exercises (Economic Theory, Econometrics, and Mathematical Economics)
Books Index
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