Which of the following terms implies the least degree of confidence in an economic generalization?

• A. Theory
• B. Law
• C. Hypothesis
• D. Principle

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the hierarchy of economic generalizations in terms of confidence and empirical support. Economic statements can be categorized as hypotheses, theories, principles, or laws, each reflecting a different level of certainty.
2. Step 2: Define a hypothesis as a tentative assumption or proposition made to test its logical or empirical consequences. It is the starting point in the scientific method and implies the least degree of confidence because it has not yet been rigorously tested or widely accepted.
3. Step 3: Recognize that a theory is a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the economic world, based on a body of evidence and reasoning, thus implying more confidence than a hypothesis.
4. Step 4: Understand that a principle is a fundamental truth or proposition that serves as the foundation for a system of belief or behavior in economics, indicating a higher degree of acceptance than a hypothesis but less than a law.
5. Step 5: Know that a law is a statement based on repeated experimental observations that describes an economic relationship consistently found to be true, implying the highest degree of confidence among the options.