Frank Hahn ("John Hicks the Theorist," The Economic Journal, Vol. 100, No. 401. (Jun., 1990), pp. 539-549.) on the "British tradition of economics" (p.539):

1. The study of economics is not to be regarded as an end in itself: It lacks the beauty of mathematics or art or the possibilities for precision and prediction of physics. The main motive for its study must be the improvement of the condition of mankind. "The complicated analysis which economists endeavour to carry through are not mere gymnastic. They are instruments for bettering human life". Pigou (1928, vii).

2. While certain aspects of the subject require precision and rigour it does not lend itself to the formulation of a general "system". A good economist is a pragmatic economist.

3. Economic phenomena are only a part of the phenomena of importance to the study of society. While ceteris paribus concerning all the non-economic variables may often be legitimate, explanation and understanding is often impossible without a knowledge of the history, more and social norms of the society concerned. It is the duty of the theorist who has arrived at a formal result to consider whether it is robust when applied to different societies and particularly when it is applied to his own society.

4. It is pretentious to use mathematics when words will do and it is equally pretentious to use "highbrow" mathematics when more elementary methods will do almost as well.

5. As far as possible, (given (1)), the economist should attempt to communicate with the educated non-expert.