History of Economic Methodology: Subject definition
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From the 18^th century beginnings, economists have felt themselves in an uncomfortable position compared to other respected sciences. Adam Smith does not dare to start his explication of price formation before writing "....after taking the utmost pains that I can to be perspicuous, some obscurity may still appear to remain upon a subject in its own nature extremely abstracted". John Stuart Mill does not grow tired of accusing practical men for easy criticism on economics, and Lionel Robbins quotes disapprovingly an anonymous statesman whom he has been told to have said "Ceteris Paribus be Damned!". Explicit methodology as a form of communication can be directed to colleagues and be meant to establish some discipline in the discipline, but it can also be directed to the general public that is to be warned not to misunderstand the nature of economic theories and propositions. More often than not, seminal methodological texts by economists are in a tactical way directed to both groups. The central question here is:

• What problems are experienced by economists while trying to market their economic ideas?.

There is an intimate connection of this to the subject group How to do Methodology