Economics as Literature Book

A rich vein of economic writings which runs through the nineteenth century and beyond is now largely marginalized because its authors were women or because these writings favoured literary over scientific forms. "Economics as Literature" is a fascinating re-examination of some of the most interesting texts from within this tradition. Some of the works considered are stories by Maria Edgeworth and Harriet Martineau, dialogues by Jane Marcet and Thomas de Quincey, "imaginative" writings from Ruskin and Francis Edgeworth and Keynes' "General" "Theory" which is located within a nineteenth century tradition that strives to unite science and art. Willie Henderson uses analysis based on rhetoric and literary form to demonstrate that these works have both analytical and literary merit. "Economics as Literature" challenges the accepted notion of a hierarchy of knowledge based on the superiority of science.