The definition of heterodox economics presented by Pat Gunning was more  
or less put together by me.  What Professor Gunning fails to recognize  
is that the definition of heterodox economics has two components:  one  
which refers to the economists that make up the community of heterodox  
economics and the second which refers to the development of a heterodox  
economic theory that is necessarily not entirely coincidental with any  
one of the theoretical approaches associated with a sub-group that makes  
up the community.  In any case, the importance of choice theory among  
the heterodox approaches varies widely; and it is certainly clear that  
for many of the approaches choice theory is not very important.  
Moreover, the theoretical content of choice theory for many approaches  
is decidedly non-mainstream--and Professor Gunning seems to ignore that  
point.  By insisting that economics is and has always been defined in  
terms of choice theory suggests an ahistorical understanding economics  
as well as cleansing alternative approaches to economic theorizing from  
economics.  In particular, Professor Gunning (and others) find it  
necessary to insist that I and other heterodox economists must adhere to  
his conception of choice theory and that choice theory must the  
fundamental basis of our theorizing.  Instead of insisting that all  
economists must be homogeneous in their approach to theorizing about the  
economy, why not be more tolerant and recognize that economics is a  
contested, changing discipline?  If this road is taken then it becomes  
possible to examine economics historically--that is to have a history of  
economics.  This would have the additional benefit of making the history  
of economics/economic thought very important (even essential) for the  
study and learning of contemporary economic theory, whether it be  
mainstream or heterodox.  This is perhaps a more important topic to  
discuss on the HES listserve than whether economics past and present has  
simply been ground in mainstream choice theory.     
  
Frederic S. Lee