Author: Pier Luigi Porta

Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing

Published: 2001-01-01

Total Pages: 392

ISBN-13: 9781782542377

'The complex interplay of the formation and communication of knowledge, the structure of social interaction, and the evolution of the division of labour, is here skilfully explored in a broad historical, philosophical and analytical framework by a truly international meeting of minds, enabling an encounter with great thinkers, past and present, commencing with Hume and Smith. A heady and unusual elixir, finely distilled, and to be slowly enjoyed if its sophisticated benefits are to be fully gathered by the reader.' - Peter Groenewegen, University of Sydney, Australia Knowledge, Social Institutions and the Division of Labour gives rise to a new and richer institutional analysis of the economy centred around the analysis of language, the division of labour and social knowledge. It is in this perspective that the economic analysis of institutions comes to be associated with the study of civil society, or with the broad framework of communication and coordination behind the interaction of individuals in economic and non-economic spheres. This fascinating book is divided into three parts beginning with the issue of the development of science as an aspect of the division of labour, starting from methodological problems on the communication of scientific knowledge. The volume goes on to explore issues on the moral bases of social interaction and, more particularly, of commercial society before ending with in depth analyses of questions on the division of labour, social institutions and the diffusion of knowledge in society.