Economics as an Empirical Science

The author seeks an answer to a complex question whether and on what conditions economy may be considered an empirical science. In the first part, basic epistemological and methodological issues along with the problems of rhetorical nature encountered by economists are discussed. In the next part peculiarities of economics are explored, in particular limited possibility of experimenting, uncertainty and generality of forecasts, how research and publication of results influence an object of research and the linkages between economics and human interests. Finally the future directions for economic research are debated, especially, the possible potential of experimental economics and observation, as well as whether and to what extent results of a research can be predicted.