Deirdre McCloskey is rightly one of the most recognizable names in economics. She views economics as a language that uses all the rhetorical devices of everyday conversation and therefore posits that it should be judged by aesthetic and literary standards, and not the criteria of mathematical rigour that is espoused by the mainstream. This controversial standpoint has been hugely influential and this examination of the methodological and philosophical consequences of her work is overdue, and very welcome.

Deirdre McCloskey is one of the most recognizable names in economics. She views economics as a language that uses all the rhetorical devices of everyday conversation. This controversial standpoint has been hugely influential in the examination of the methodological and philosophical consequences of her work.