ABSTRACT
Thorstein Veblen introduced the term 'neoclassical' into economics prima facie to characterise a particular 'school'. Currently, the term 'neoclassical' pervades the discourse of academic economics, being employed to denote a range of substantive theories and policy stances. No less significant is the observation that the various substantive categories which frequently occur across the conceptions of these more cautious interpreters seem to be in declining use in modern economics discourse, and despite the continuing prevalence of the category neoclassical economics. However, as already noted, these same observers mostly conclude that no significant commonality between the two projects actually exists. Viable is clearly positively disposed towards aspects of the stances adopted by both Keynes and Marshall. Throughout these papers Veblen's primary focus is not substantive theory but, as these titles suggest, the metaphysical preconceptions underpinning economic theorising. Even if the foregoing does identify a coherent interpretation of neoclassical economics, suggest further that it is likely better, on balance, to abandon the category.
