Definition

Proper noun: - A surname of historical significance in economics: "Jevons" primarily refers to William Stanley Jevons, a 19th-century English economist and logician. He is a key figure in the development of neoclassical economic thought, particularly for his contributions to the theory of marginal utility and his analysis of business cycles.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun:
  • The economic theories of Jevons helped shape modern microeconomics.
  • In his research, he applied the logical principles similar to those explored by Jevons.
  • The Jevons paradox is a concept in environmental economics named after him.

Advanced Usage

• "Jevons paradox": An economic hypothesis stating that technological progress that increases the efficiency of using a resource can lead to an increased overall consumption of that resource, rather than a decrease.
  • The Jevons paradox suggests that more fuel-efficient engines could lead to more total driving and fuel use.

Variants and Related Words

• Jevonian (adj): Pertaining to or characteristic of the economic theories of William Stanley Jevons.
  • The paper examines the Jevonian approach to utility theory.

Synonyms

• William Stanley Jevons: The full name of the individual referred to by the surname.
• The economist Jevons: A common clarifying phrase used to specify the reference within an academic context.

Noun

1. English economist and logician who contributed to the development of the theory of marginal utility (1835-1882)