Conviction Quote by Kenneth E. Boulding
“I have been gradually coming under the conviction, disturbing for a professional theorist, that there is no such thing as economics - there is only social science applied to economic problems.”
About This Quote
Source Book: General Systems Theory, 1968
Economics is best understood as a branch of social science applied to economic issues, not a separate discipline.
In simple terms: Economics is social science.
Key Takeaway
Treat economic problems with social‑science methods.
Themes
economics
social science
interdisciplinary
theory
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- policy analysis
- academic research
- public debate
- education
- consulting
Key Concepts
systems thinking
methodology
paradigm shift
Questions to Reflect On
- How does framing economics as social science change policy recommendations?
- What benefits arise from interdisciplinary approaches?
A Different Perspective
This view may overlook the quantitative rigor unique to economics.
![“[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... Land, labor, and capital are extremely heterogeneous aggregates, not much better than earth, air, fire, and water.” quote by Kenneth E. Boulding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/47e/kenneth-e-boulding-3728_air_in-science-any-model-depends-on-a-pre-ch_12383.jpg)
![“[The question for the behavioral disciplines is simply] what is better, and how do we get there?” quote by Kenneth E. Boulding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/50a/kenneth-e-boulding-3728_discipline_the-question-for-the-behavioral-discipli_272939.jpg)
![“[Even the mechanism can be endowed with an image. Thus] the thermostat has an image of the outside world in the shape of information regarding its temperature. It has also a value system in the sense of the ideal temperature at which it is set. Its behavior is directed towards the receipt of…” quote by Kenneth E. Boulding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/bf0/kenneth-e-boulding-3728_behavior_even-the-mechanism-can-be-endowed-with-a_292365.jpg)
![“Beneath everything else, North and West, there ran a profound, unvoiced, almost subconscious conviction that the [American] nation was going to go on growing-in size, in power, in everything a man could think of-and in that belief there was a might and a fury that would take form instantly at the…” quote by Bruce Catton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a3c/bruce-catton-15493_belief_beneath-everything-else-north-and-west-t_10801.jpg)
