Jim Devine wrote:

> I don't think that the SRPE (a.k.a., the "economics Nobel") is an
> adoption certificate.

Take Gerard Debreu.  What work of his in either pure or applied
topology -- or any other branch of math -- has given him more
prominence than Theory of Value?  Was he ever the president of the
Mathematical Association of America?  Of the Société Mathématique de
la France?  Of the Cowles Commission for Research in Mathematics?  No,
no, and no.  He was president of the American Economics Association,
member of the CC for R in Economics, etc.  Is there any popular book
titled "Eminent Mathematicians" containing some interview of Gerard
Debreu?  No.  It turns out that there's a book titled "Eminent
*Economists*" that interviews him.  Etc.

Kahneman is still around.  He continues producing.  Who knows where
his career may take him in the future.  So, take Tversky.  Most
likely, his work will be remembered for his contribution to the
*economic* theory of risk and uncertainty.  Or, where are his
important contributions to other branches of psychology?

But let's not quibble more about this.  I can concede this to you
entirely.  Still, the point I was making in my reply to Gene will be
barely altered.  Modern finance theory is not the result of some
direct generalization of the behavior of finance practitioners.  It's
almost entirely the product of work done by non-finance practitioners.
 (Actually, I thought somebody here would mention Soros!)  Mainly the
fruit of the application of economic reasoning by economists -- as
well as mathematicians and psychologists with a strong interest in
economics.
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