--%>

Good theory

It is frequently said that a good theory is one which can in principle be refuted by an empirical, data-oriented study. Describe why a theory which cannot be evaluated empirically is not a good theory.
In evaluating theory there are two steps: firstly, you have to examine the reasonability of the theory's assumptions; secondly, you have to test the theory's predictions by comparing them with facts. If a theory cannot be tested, it cannot be accepted or rejected. Hence, it contributes little to our understanding of reality.

   Related Questions in Microeconomics

  • Q : Price elasticity of demand as

    As the Shmoo Recording Studio raised CD production from 3 million units to 5 million units, this was forced to discount CD prices down by $18 to $15. Then price elasticity of demand for Shmoo CDs is as: (w) 0.022. (x) 0.36. (y) 1.0. (z) 2.75.

  • Q : Market Price in intervention Let’s take

    Let’s take a perfectly competitive market in which the market demand curve is provided by Qd = 20 − 2Pd and the market supply curve is provided by Qs = 2Ps. a) Determine the e

  • Q : Principal-Agent Problems-Institutions

    According to the John Kenneth Galbraith, the modern corporate planning: (i) Aims at decreasing risks to the managers of main firms. (ii) Stresses the maximization of gains. (iii) Is much concerned with the social goals. (iv) Maximizes the social welfare.

  • Q : Substitution of goods for buyers Can

    Can someone help me in finding out the right answer from the given options. The market demand curves slope downward as: (i) Supply curves are positively sloped. (ii) Each and every buyer has similar preferences and incomes. (iii) Buyers replace towards goods as their

  • Q : Excessively high production costs to

    The merely fast food restaurant conveniently located close to a fast-growing suburb may be rather profitable despite sloppy management and poor quality control. There market power can enable several firms along with excessively high production

  • Q : Market supplies of labor in long run

    During the long run, the labor supply curve facing a main industry: (w) will always be positively associated to the wage rate. (x) will slope upward only when individual labor supply curves slope upward. (y) can be backward bending at very high wage r

  • Q : Effect of average expected lifespan on

    When new medical technology raised the average expected lifespan through 10 years and people responded along with increases in their desires to have hefty “nest eggs” while they retire, it would be least probable to result into: (1) an inc

  • Q : Surety of good market information for

    The assumption about buyers and sellers has good market information makes sure that they: (w) know everything. (x) never make errors. (y) can foretell the future. (z) won’t pay more than they have to, or sell for less than the market price.

  • Q : Zero economic profit in long run When

    When the best a monopolist can do to produce an economic profit of zero, this will: (w) shut down in the long run. (x) shut down in the short run. (y) remain in operation in the long run. (z) raise its price to raise profit.

    Q : Competitive equilibrium in competitive

    I have a problem in economics on Competitive equilibrium in competitive labor markets. Please help me in the following question. The Competitive equilibrium in competitive labor markets need: (1) P = MR = AVC. (2) VMP - P is maximized. (3) MPP = P. (4