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The inapplicability principle: What chaos means for social science
Author(s) -
Smith R. David
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
behavioral science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.371
H-Index - 45
eISSN - 1099-1743
pISSN - 0005-7940
DOI - 10.1002/bs.3830400105
Subject(s) - galilean , galilean transformation , butterfly effect , chaos theory , chaos (operating system) , epistemology , management science , refining (metallurgy) , sociology , engineering ethics , computer science , engineering , physics , philosophy , chaotic , classical mechanics , artificial intelligence , chemistry , computer security
Some basic terms in chaos theory are reviewed and some of their broad possible implications for Galilean science are briefly discussed. The main conclusion is that there are regions of scientific research within which the Galilean Principles of Model Building, the extensive use of prediction for refining and testing, do not apply. Some consequences are explored, notably that while social science may be possible, social engineering is a much more dubious enterprise.