How do economists tackle the problems of the economic system and give advice on public policy? Nobel laureate R.H. Coase reflects on some of the most fundamental concerns of economists over the past two centuries. In 15 essays, Coase explore the history and philosophy of economics and evaluates the contributions of a number of outstanding figures.

This paper is concerned primarily with certain methodological problems that arise in constructing the "distinct positive science" that John Neville Keynes called for, in particular, the problem how to decide whether a suggested hypothesis or theory should be tentatively accepted as part of the "body of systematized knowledge concerning what is."

First Published in 2015. This is volume 2 of a selection of essays on economics looking at the theories, facts and policies and including topics of U.S. national accounts, alternatives to Input-Output analysis and environmental repercussions and the economic structure as well as the balance of the economy in the USSR.

Collects essays from the economist, providing insights into topics that continue to drive the public debate from health care reform and drug legalization to school vouchers and the economics of John Maynard Keynes.