All are agreed that orthodox economics is unsatisfactory but there is wide
disagreement, especially among heterodox critics, whether the problems lie
at the level of substantive theory or at the level of methodology. This paper
gives first an overview of the methodological questions at issue. The frame of
reference includes J. S. Mill, Jevons, Popper, Keynes, and Lawson. Drawing
on the conclusions, the domain of economics is subsequently refocused.
Human behavior is moved from the center to the periphery. From elementary
systemic properties the relation of income and profit is then consistently
derived. This solves the profit conundrum