Plurality in economics

There is evidence of growing plurality in economic theory, alongside an increasing degree of homogenisation at the level of methodology. The purpose of this paper is to explore these developments in the light of the methodological literature on pluralism, regarding meaning of plurality, and the arguments for it. Issues raised by plurality are then explored: regarding mathematical formalism, the ‘anything goes’ approach, and the rationale for schools of thought. It is concluded that, if plurality is not to take the form of ‘anything goes’, then critical discussion by economists of different approaches to economics, and of pluralism itself, is required.