Economics is the study of how individuals make decisions under conditions of scarcity and its concepts are heavily based on experimental and empirical data, not the subjective conclusions made through value judgements. Value judgements are based on personal opinions that judge the rightness and the wrongness of matters and this is an approach that cannot be applied to economics. Economics does not take on this approach and relies on the experimental and empirical data that is available objectively.
Similarly, a science is anything that proposes a theory (or hypothesis) and tests the theory to make a conclusion about the matter, based on experimental evidence that supports the hypothesis. Economics is basically this. Economists propose theories about both individual behaviour (microeconomy) and the behaviour of the aggregate economy (macroeconomy) and tests them by applying them to real-life situations. Therefore, economics is a science and its discipline is not based on value judgements.
No because science can't make final answer either
Normative economics is the idealized part of economics that encompasses value judgments about economic fairness. It typically concerns what the outcome of an economy or what public policy ought to be.
Economics is considered a normative science because it involves value judgments and subjective assessments about what the economy should look like and how it should operate. It goes beyond mere observation of economic behavior to include recommendations for policy and actions based on ethical considerations and societal goals, such as equity, justice, and welfare. This normative aspect influences debates on issues like income distribution, environmental policies, and public welfare, ultimately shaping economic policies based on desired outcomes rather than just factual analysis.
A positive analysis is a statement of what is. The truth. Purely descriptive statements or scientific predictions.A normative analysis is a statement of what ought to be. Analysis involving value judgments.
Economics is a collection of thoughts and principles that are derived from other sciences. Economics, sociology and politics are interrelated as these sciences make an impact on the lives of people and their society.
Microeconomics is primarily considered a positive science because it focuses on describing and analyzing economic behavior and decision-making without making value judgments. It examines how individuals and firms interact in markets, based on observable data and theories. However, aspects of microeconomics can also involve normative elements when evaluating policies or outcomes based on societal values or goals. Overall, its foundation lies in empirical analysis rather than prescriptive judgments.
Positive economics deals with objective analysis and factual statements about economic phenomena, focusing on what is or what will be based on evidence and data. It seeks to describe and explain economic behavior without making value judgments. In contrast, normative economics involves subjective opinions and value-based statements about what ought to be, addressing questions of fairness, equity, and policy recommendations. Together, these two branches help to understand both the functioning of economies and the ethical implications of economic choices.
Positive statements are objective assertions that can be tested and validated through evidence, while value judgments express subjective opinions about what is desirable or undesirable. Therefore, positive statements do not involve value judgments; they focus on facts and what "is," rather than what "ought to be."
Technically, no. Science is all about making and testing hypotheses - that is, testing ideas about the world to see whether or not they are correct factually. If it cannot be measured, science is not the tool you should be using with it. Having said that, when making value judgements it is important to take any relevant pieces of information into account, and, more often than not, this includes scientific insights. For example, to say that smoking is wrong is a value judgement, but we use the evidence science has provided linking smoking with cancer in saying it. To put it another way, science cannot make value judgements any more than a thesaurus can write poetry, but it is helpful in the same way.
If everyone has a value system, everyone must have an ethical system upon which to base judgments and choices.
Science investigates the world of nature, but it is not about human culture. Value judgments, aesthetic judgments, subjective opinions on any subject, are not scientific questions. The question of what is your favorite sport is one that you can answer but science can't. There is also the question of whether science can actually answer all questions about the natural world. So far science has made amazing progress in solving the mysteries of nature, but that does not guarantee that there will never be a mystery that is beyond the power of science to solve. There is no basis for knowing whether the universe is completely understandable by the human mind. But so far, science is doing very well.
Not all value judgments are about matters of taste; they can also pertain to moral, ethical, or societal issues. While taste often relates to personal preferences in art, food, or aesthetics, other value judgments can involve beliefs about justice, fairness, and right or wrong. These judgments can be influenced by cultural, philosophical, or individual perspectives, making them more complex than mere matters of taste.