Mathematical Needs and Economic Interpretations

This paper discusses why the disconnection between formal structuresand theoretical content in economic model building can leadto undesirable consequences. By contrast, linking formal andverbal contents by means of coherent and relevant interpretationsis worth the effort: it is a relatively simple way of helpingto improve mathematical economic theorization. By way of illustration,the interpretation that Arrow and Debreu put on the inclusionof free goods in their proof of existence of general equilibriumis also discussed.