ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the methodological base of ecological economics by considering post-normal science and constructivist methodologies. At times economists have expressed the view that methodology is irrelevant to the practice of economics. Positivist philosophy has dominated scientific research throughout most of the twentieth century, but it has been discredited or rejected within the philosophy of science. S. O. Funtowicz and J. R. Ravetz coin the neologism post-normal science to differentiate their conception of scientific activity from that of normal science, and to emphasize that the concept of post-normal science has evolved from that of normal science. The constructivist paradigm is well suited to a research approach that is issue and policy driven and aims at implementing the research findings through the participation of the stakeholders. Of particular relevance, positivism has led many social scientists to eschew inquiry into ethical questions in the name of value-free science. The existence of multiple paradigms is important to the development of science.
