Ignorer la navigation
The New Astrology
Article

The New Astrology

Aeon, 2016

résumé audio créé automatiquement
résumé audio créé automatiquement

Editorial Rating

8

Qualities

  • Innovative

Recommendation

At what point does good math become bad science? Philosophy and religion professor Alan Jay Levinovitz critiques the “talismanic authority” of little-understood mathematic models that lend an aura of scientific truth to economic theories that may not deserve such designation. In the course of his analysis, Levinovitz draws insightful parallels between the “quasi-theology” of ancient China’s adherence to “li models” and modern-day belief in the predictive power of economic theory. getAbstract recommends this article to policy makers, executives and investors.

Take-Aways

  • Some economic theorists claim their discipline is the “most scientific of the social sciences,” and yet, economic models frequently fail to deliver on their predictive promises.
  • Economics’ claim to “empirical truth” leans heavily on the fact that it is derived from mathematical models.
  • The highly complex and specialized nature of mathematical theory means few understand and can therefore critique the models that shape economic theory.

About the Author

Alan Jay Levinovitz is an assistant professor of philosophy and religion at James Madison University. His most recent book, The Gluten Lie: And Other Myths About What You Eat, was published in 2015.