Babu Science

[supergee]

The success of mathematical physics led the social scientist to be jealous of its power without quite understanding the intellectual attitudes that had contributed to this power. The use of mathematical formulae had accompanied the development of the natural sciences and become the mode in the social sciences. Just as primitive peoples adopt the Western modes of denationalized clothing and of parliamentarianism out of a vague feeling that these magic rites and vestments will at once put them abreast of modern culture and technique, so the economists have developed the habit of dressing up their rather imprecise ideas in the language of the infinitesimal calculus--Norbert Weiner, God & Golem, Inc.

Comments

[kaffy_r]

*applauds*

(Although, as our ability to mine data gets better, perhaps the more honest economists might accept that what they do is gather and interpret statistics in an effort to see how, when and why money and things we think are money change hands. Which is maybe more accurate than calling oneself an economist.)