The final sentences of Maffeo Pantaleoni's obituary for Vilfredo Pareto are: 
 
          Every great man has had to labour under the inconveniences created by 
          Epigoni.  These tend to the formation of "schools", more properly 
          called obnoxious syndicates of fools. (Pantaleoni 1933, Economic 
          Journal, vol.33, p590) 
 
   As at least one historically important economist observed the formation of 
   schools of thought and regarded them with considerable contempt, a relevant 
   issue for historians is whether scientific progress should, or should not, 
   be considered a defining characteristic for a school of thought.  The answer 
   may  well  depend on whether one's research methodology emphasizes the 
   rational or sociological basis of scientific knowledge, so I think Matthias 
   Klaes'  suggestion (that a clear distinction be maintained between the 
   historiographic  and  sociological  approaches  to this issue) is very 
   sensible. 
 
   Regards 
   Michael McLure