The foundation of science on cognitive mini-models, with applications to the German methodenstreit and the advent of econometrics

Werner Meissner

Hermann Wold

pp. 111-146

in: Werner Leinfellner, Eckehart Köhler (eds), Developments in the methodology of social science, Berlin, Springer, 1974

Abstract

The notion of mini-model is of the nature of a kernel, or core, in the models that are designed for some specific domain or problem area. A mini-model should be as simple as possible, it should involve a minimum of the cognitive elements that are needed to deal with the domain at issue, thereby forming a basis for the construction of more ambitious and complete models. On the other hand, by its simplicity it should make for a general consensus about the basic features of the problems under analysis. Part 1 of our paper presents four mini-models. Part II of our paper uses the mini-models as a frame of reference for a review of the German Methodenstreit and its resolution by the advent of econometrics. Speaking broadly, Part I deals with problems that belong to the foundations of scientific methods, while Part II is devoted to a subject-matter application.