Economics and a New Social Science Threshold
I am afraid that I have set a difficult task for myself tonight. The concept that I want to share with you is not only complex but it requires me to deal with ideas that may be novel to the professional economist. However, the basic elements of the theme can be stated simply. First, I am convinced that developmental problems are the paramount issues that confront not only social science but the ongoing social process. Second, the conventional conceptual models or metaphors of social science are, taken by themselves, not adequate to permit man to deal adequately with these problems. Third, there is underway a perceptible shift in the concepts that organize and support the work of social science-one that seeks to establish a framework more adequate for the analysis and management of developmental problems. Fourth, if the discipline of economics wishes to make a contribution to economic and social development, it must share this new metaphor and submit an important part of its work to its guidance and control. Fifth, such a shift implies a number of changes in the practice of social science, including economics. Let us begin with the idea of a shift in concepts. I have in mind the perspective on science developed in Thomas Kuhn's (1964) little book The Structure of Scien-