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The Stern Test of Objectivity for the Useful Science of Agricultural Economics
Author(s) -
Breimyer Harold F.
Publication year - 1967
Publication title -
american journal of agricultural economics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.949
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1467-8276
pISSN - 0002-9092
DOI - 10.2307/1237204
Subject(s) - stern , objectivity (philosophy) , agriculture , test (biology) , economics , positive economics , philosophy , epistemology , engineering , history , biology , ecology , archaeology , marine engineering
Agricultural economics as a discipline has long found itself in the dilemma that to realize its highest potential of service in meeting real‐world problems, to hold public support, and to be called a science, it must not only perform well technically but also demonstrate unblemished objectivity. The challenge to objectivity is more pervasive than is generally realized. It is greatest in the field of policy, where political and private interests are expressed. It takes on more importance now that action programs for agriculture are apparently a fixture and there is such a close organizational tie in agricultural economics—unlike general economics—between work on policy and management counseling. Although compromises, active or passive, are doubtless few, the preserving of objectivity is of crucial importance.