ABSTRACT
As described in the introductory chapter, a central feature of mainstream economics, at least according to offi cial methodology, is that the economist (the scientist) is considered to be a positive value-free observer of whatever happens in the real world. This means that her/his own visions and values or wishes and feelings do not, and should not, have anything to do with the results of research. The economist, in other words, is considered to be value-free and objective. Furthermore, the economic agent (the consumer and producer) is considered to be motivated only by self-interest.1
