PARADOXES, DILEMMAS, AND ANOMALIES IN ECONOMIC-THEORY

Paradox is a term widely used not only in general language but also in economic theory. In order to achieve a more adequate and consistent usage and prevent, on the other hand, an inflationary usage, the term is analysed and compared with the related terms "anomaly" and "dilemma". The article starts off with analysing the terms etymologically and semantically. Some selected "paradoxes" of economic theory are drawn upon to investigate whether the terms are used consistently. The article concludes with some proposals for a more precise and differentiated usage of these terms.