Journal of Economic Literature Vol. 45 No. 4 2007
Interesting Questions in Freakonomics
Abstract
Freakonomics is more about “entertainment” than it is a serious attempt at popularization. Consequently, rather than conduct a comprehensive fact check, I use the book as a springboard for a broader inquiry into social science research and take issue with the book's surprising premise that “Economics is a science with excellent tools for gaining answers but a serious shortage of interesting questions.” Using examples from Freakonomics, I argue that some of the questions the book addresses are “uninteresting” because it is impossible to even imagine what a good answer would look like. I conclude with some thoughts about the role of economic theory in generating interesting questions and/or answers.
- DOI
- 10.1257/jel.45.4.973
- Volume
- 45
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 973-1000
- Language
- en
- Sources
- openalex crossref