On the possibility of quantitative‐mathematical social science, chiefly economics: Some preliminary considerations

Abstract

Argues preliminarily that quantitative‐mathematical social science, including economics, is not possible because it applies a method useful in other areas to a field to which it cannot be applied and because the truth claim of science so conceived is self‐referential to begin with. The argument is primarily based on the classic Gadamerian hermeneutic critique of the natural sciences and on the conception of the social sciences as related to phronésis.

Citation

Drechsler, W. (2000), "On the possibility of quantitative‐mathematical social science, chiefly economics: Some preliminary considerations", Journal of Economic Studies, Vol. 27 No. 4/5, pp. 246-259. https://doi.org/10.1108/01443580010341727