The methods of the natural sciences cannot be applied to human behavior because this behavior...lacks the peculiarity that characterizes events in the field of the natural sciences, viz., regularity.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Mises explains human behavior lacks the regularity needed for natural science methods.
- In plain terms
- Natural science methods fail on humans because human behavior is not regular.
- What can you take from it?
- Do not apply natural science rules to human behavior.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Is human behavior too unpredictable for science?
- Can we find patterns in human action?
Another view
Behavioral economics shows some regularity in human choices.
More from Ludwig von Mises
There is in the universe something for the description and analysis of which the natural sciences cannot contribute anything. There are events beyond the range…
Permalink to quote #28 Scientific research sooner or later, but inevitably, encounters something ultimately given that it cannot trace back to something else of which it would appear…
Permalink to quote #30 Science does not give us absolute and final certainty. It only gives us assurance within the limits of our mental abilities and the prevailing state of scienti…
Permalink to quote #27
Related quotes
There is in the universe something for the description and analysis of which the natural sciences cannot contribute anything. There are events beyond the range…
Ludwig von MisesLudwig von Mises quote #28 The Sun-Paul must consider only one thing: what is the relation of this or that external reaction of the animal to the phenomena of the external world?
Ivan PavlovIvan Pavlov quote #1 How does it happen that a properly endowed natural scientist comes to concern himself with epistemology? Is there not some more valuable work to be done in his…
Albert EinsteinAlbert Einstein quote #2