Economics Quote by Herbert A. Simon
“I started off thinking that maybe the social sciences ought to have the kinds of mathematics that the natural sciences had. That works a little bit in economics because they talk about costs, prices and quantities of goods.”
About This Quote
Source Book: “The Sciences of the Artificial” by Herbert A. Simon, 1969
Social sciences could benefit from mathematical rigor like natural sciences, especially in economics where quantifiable variables exist.
In simple terms: Apply math to social sciences.
Key Takeaway
Integrate quantitative methods.
Themes
interdisciplinary
methodology
economics
Mood
thoughtful
balanced
Type
academic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- policy modeling
- economic forecasting
- behavioral research
Key Concepts
mathematical modeling
quantitative analysis
Questions to Reflect On
- Which social issues suit mathematical models?
- How to balance qualitative insight with numbers?
A Different Perspective
Not all social phenomena are easily quantifiable.
