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1、参加网络经济学课程学习的同学请注意，我们现在把何梦笔教授的网络经济学介绍转给你们。里面既有他设想的学习方法的叙述，也有参加这门课程的同学必须回答的问题，也有参加学习的人在网上需要找到的阅读材料。请按照何梦笔教授在他的介绍中的要求去做，否则可能会影响到学习效果。Introduction Into Evolutionary EconomicsTeacher: Prof. Dr. Carsten Herrmann-Pillath, Witten/Herdecke University, GermanyIn a non-technical fashion, the course offers an i
2、ntroduction into the newly emerging field of Evolutionary Economics. Basic concepts and methodological premises are developed, following an independent approach which is closely related to European intellectual traditions in economics (e.g. institutional economics, theory of order, regulation theory
3、, Schumpeterian economics, Austrian School etc.). Teaching methodology is “erotetic”, based on the Socratian approach to gain new knowledge via posing questions and conducting an open and equal dialogue between student and teacher. The class presupposes prior independent study by the students, the u
4、nderlying material of which is offered via the website . Students are asked to prepare their answers to the questions by exploiting this material, however they are free to include independent research and viewpoints. The website contains numerous links to other resources that can be used for this pu
5、rpose. In particular, they are strongly encouraged to find their own solutions and to develop their independent opinion. In the classroom, the teacher actively participates in the free discussion among the students and provides additional information and perspectives.The class is concluded with a wr
6、itten examination where one out of two questions for choice has to be discussed. Original and critical thought is especially praised, with less emphasis on “right” or “wrong”.Languages used in the classroom are English and Chinese. The written examination is in Chinese (clearly written).Session One:
7、 First Steps Toward a New View of Economics: Knowledge and Networks1-1. What are the costs of the entrepreneur? Are they included in the data from the accounting department? 1-2. People often decide with incomplete information and even total ignorance about the future. Do you think that they can app
8、ly some optimization calculus about the necessary investment into the collection of information? What are the alternatives? Imagine yourself buying a new computer with cutting edge equipment. How do you find the best buy? When do you stop searching for further market intelligence?1-3. How would you
9、define knowledge“? Is there always a subject who “knows” the knowledge? Consider some social rules the function of which might differ from the meaning that is assigned to the rules by the participant subjects. Draw a comparison with the “knowledge” that is embodied in your genes.1-4. What is the dif
10、ference between the following two views of the market? a) The market is the place where supply and demand meet and are equilibrated via the price mechanism, and b) the market is a complex social network where subjects communicate and process information to find opportunities for mutually beneficial
11、bargains. Try to define a network of relations between actors and compare your concept with standard descriptions of markets in a microeconomics textbook.1-5. In what way do structures of networks constitute power of an actor? What does power mean in the economic context? In the context of competiti
12、on, power is often perceived as being detrimental to the emergence of socially optimal outcomes. However, how about the role of power for stabilizing structures of networks that coordinate market transactions?Session Two: Ends and Means in an Evolutionary Context2-1. Many economists think that prefe
13、rences are given and do not need to be explained. People are presumed to find an equilibrium of their conflicting wants such that they are fully satisfied with their realized state of consumption. Yet, try to understand consumption and preferences with a view on then existence of internal conflicts,
14、 for example, between the wish to have a beautiful body and the drive to eat a lot of delicious things, or between short-term interests in leisure and long-term interests in professional success. How can we explain the different kinds of preferences, and how can we understand the way of solving the
15、conflicts? Is the equilibrium concept really sensible here?2-2. Do you think that it makes a difference whether people try to maximize their perceived level of material welfare or whether they try to maximize their relative position to other people? What is the implication for social cooperation and
16、 social order? Try to find some arguments why the maximization of relative status might be engrained in our genes as a result of natural evolution. What kind of evidence do you find in everyday life?2-3. Economists mostly think of people being led by self-interest and rational choice. In reality, there is much room for symphathy, love and hatred and other emotions. Think of problems of strategic inte
