The economics of scientific knowledge : a rational choice neo-institutionalist theory of science / Yanfei Shi.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Shi, Yanfei, 1963-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Science--Philosophy.

Science.

Science--Economic aspects.

Scientism--Economic aspects.

Scientism.

Physical Description:

xvii, 286 pages ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

Cheltenham ; Northampton, Mass. : Edward Elgar, [2001]

Contents:

1 Towards a rational choice approach to science: a theoretical framework 1

1.1 Quasi-economic models of science 2

1.2 Appeal to the rational choice approach 21

1.3 Rational choice models of science 35

2 The scientist as a scientific entrepreneur 44

2.1 Scientific entrepreneur 45

2.2 Entrepreneurial activity 55

2.3 Productive organization 65

3 The scientist as a scientific comsumer 76

3.1 Consumer activity 77

3.2 Strategic preference 84

3.3 Satisficing rationality 95

4 The scientific community as an exchange organization 111

4.1 Exchange model of the scientific community 112

4.2 Scientific exchange 123

4.3 Why does a scientific community exist? 129

5 Towards an institutional analysis of science: a research agenda 138

5.1 Scientific institution 139

5.2 Scientific performance 147

5.3 Explanatory and normative analysis 156

6 The distributive rules of science 169

6.1 The collective action problem 170

6.2 Institutional solutions 178

6.3 The scientific contract 187

7 The constitutional rules of science 198

7.1 Cognitive paradigm 199

7.2 Authority structure 205

7.3 National selection as an evolutionary mechanism of the scientific community 216

8 The aggregative rules of science 225

8.1 Intellectual market 226

8.2 Constitutional choice 237

8.3 Collective rationality 247.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

184064804X

OCLC:

47863200