ABSTRACT
Through drawing upon the early works of Roy Bhaskar (mainly Bhaskar 1978; 1979), Tony Lawson had developed an interesting critique of certain assumptions which, it is claimed, underpin contemporary orthodox economics. Lawson characterises his approach as ‘transcendental realism’, contrasting it with the ‘empirical realism’ purportedly derived from Hume and adopted by mainstream economics.2 The term ‘transcendental’ is invoked because ‘the mode of reasoning employed here is basically Kantian’ (1994:124). The intention seems clear: Lawson will offer a Kantian-inspired transcendental argument in order to refute a Humean-based approach.3 However, what exactly is meant by a transcendental mode of reasoning, and what is its relevance in rejecting a Humean approach?
