The social dynamics of human history, even more than that of biological evolution, illustrate the fundamental principle of ecological evolution - that everything depends on everything else. The nine elements that we have described in societal evolution of the three… — Kenneth E. Boulding Copy Share Image
[In science any model depends on a pre-chosen taxonomy] a set of classifications into which we divide the enormous complexity of the real world...… — Kenneth E. Boulding Copy Share
It is clear that the building of models is not a purely mechanical process but requires skill of a high order - not merely… — Kenneth E. Boulding Copy Share
Even personal tastes are learned, in the matrix of a culture or a subculture in which we grow up, by very much the same… — Kenneth E. Boulding Copy Share
In view of the importance of philanthropy in our society, it is surprising that so little attention has been given to it by economic… — Kenneth E. Boulding Copy Share
Humble, honest, ignorance is one of the finest flowers of the human spirit — Kenneth E. Boulding Copy Share
[The question for the behavioral disciplines is simply] what is better, and how do we get there? — Kenneth E. Boulding Copy Share
[Even the mechanism can be endowed with an image. Thus] the thermostat has an image of the outside world in the shape of information… — Kenneth E. Boulding Copy Share
Economic problems have no sharp edges. They shade off imperceptibly into politics, sociology, and ethics. Indeed, it is hardly an exaggeration to say that… — Kenneth E. Boulding Copy Share
The world moves into the future as a result of decisions, not as a result of plans. Plans are significant only insofar as they… — Kenneth E. Boulding Copy Share
Mathematicians themselves set up standards of generality and elegance in their exposition which are a bar to understand. — Kenneth E. Boulding Copy Share
The concept of need is often looked upon rather unfavorably by economists, in contrast with the concept of demand. Both, however, have their own… — Kenneth E. Boulding Copy Share
Conventions of generality and mathematical elegance may be just as much barriers to the attainment and diffusion of knowledge as may contentment with particularity… — Kenneth E. Boulding Copy Share
Nothing fails like success, because we do not learn anything from it. We only learn from failure, but we do not always learn the… — Kenneth E. Boulding Copy Share
At the opposite pole from the gift is tribute - that is, a grant made out of fear and under threat. A threat is… — Kenneth E. Boulding Copy Share
