W. Brian Arthur on The History of Complexity Economics

Explore the origins and evolution of complexity economics in this insightful lecture by W. Brian Arthur, External Professor at the Santa Fe Institute. Delve into the limitations of traditional economic assumptions and discover how insights from ecology and evolutionary biology have shaped a new paradigm for understanding economic systems. Learn about the emergence of complexity economics at the Santa Fe Institute in the late 1980s and its approach to treating markets and technologies as dynamic, out-of-balance systems. Examine how this novel perspective addresses economic puzzles that standard economics couldn't solve, such as economic growth, sudden market crashes, and technological evolution. Gain valuable insights into the interconnections between economics and biology, and understand how complexity economics provides a fresh lens for comprehending the intricate exchanges underlying human life. Follow the journey from traditional economic thinking to a more nuanced, realistic approach that considers imperfect information, fundamental uncertainty, and the metabolic forces driving economic systems.