Debts, Oligarchies, and Holisms: Deconstructing the Fallacy of Composition

Authors

  • Maurice A. Finocchiaro University of Nevada, Las Vegas

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22329/il.v33i2.3892

Abstract

This is a critical appreciation of Govier’s 2006 ISSA keynote address on the fallacy of composition, and of economists’ writings on this fallacy in economics. I argue that the “fallacy of composition” is a problematical concept, because it does not denote a distinctive kind of argument but rather a plurality, and does not constitute a distinctive kind of error, but rather reduces to oversimplification in arguing from micro to macro. Finally, I propose further testing of this claim based on examples involving public vs. private debt in economics; oligarchic tendencies in politics, and the emergence of societal wholes in sociology.

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Published

2013-05-30

Issue

Vol. 33 No. 2 (2013): Special Issue in Honour of Trudy Govier

Section

Articles

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