Is economics a science? Thanks for your help jgill. Yesterday evening I wrote an answer for ssu. It was similar to my previous answers. In the morning I realized, it is not the right answer to be given. The problem is that ssu attacked not one of the many examples and details that I’d given in my text. Instead, he gave a very short ‘explanation’ on a very general level. To show it is correct, he would need several pages. And he would really need to think it through. Perhaps, he would realize then, it is not the correct remark.
Anyway, his objections show clearly that another planned piece is urgently needed. Namely, the article: “What is science and scientific method”. Unfortunately, many things considered as “science” are not a piece of a real science. For example, the mentioned by me in this thread “the crowd behavior modeling”. It is not a piece of science. It is the same kind of thing as the one mentioned by my in my discussion with quants:
“You may try to use the probability to data, which you do not know if it is random or not. But using it to data, when you know it is not random (in many cases, at least) is deceiving. Yourself and others. Of course, only if you consider yourself a scientist. If you call it science. You may calculate the variance of the post codes in your region. If you see any practical application of such move. But do not call it science.”
I know, that it really requires a good clarification. But I need time to write it down.
I do not know, if you read my text, jgill. If you have, you should be able (I hope) to figure out what is a possible answer to your remarks on some integrals in physics. And I will provide such answer in my text on science in general. In short: the things you mentioned are just imperfectnesses present always in the human thinking. Our limits. While my objection to economics as a science is fundamental, general, clearly visible in many aspects. Which I’d tried to show as completely (and shortly at the same time) as possible in my text. Anyway, at this point you’ve caught me. I cannot defend my statement as I’ve written it in this thread.
You see, in my texts published on the philosopher4hire every sentence is a result of a long and careful thinking. (Nearly) every paragraph could be developed into a long text. If you really want to point out weak elements of my thinking, try on those texts. You are welcome!
I’m sorry, ssu, that I cannot give a satisfying answer to your objections, now. I know that I make “grand and decisive conclusions”. But they are part of a complete worldview, explaining the entire reality. A worldview which is not syncretic, as everything else offered to us nowadays. I will need at least 20-30 texts to show it in full. And still many ‘bricks’ would have to be added.
Nevertheless, many thanks to you both.