Economics Uses Magical Language

A common feature in systems of magic is animism — attributing to inanimate objects the functions of life, assuming things to possess will, purpose, and power.

It is significant (though quite in keeping) that "Economists" and "Financiers" have this characteristic at- titude of mind towards, and employ animistic forms of expression in writing and talking about "Money" and "Capital."

Whether this is due to unconscious belief in magic or is mere metaphor, the result, in either case, is befogging confusion of thought.

When the President of a great banking corporation, in a serious public discussion on "War Taxation," for example, says:

"Capital has a long memory . . . ";

"Capital is proverbially timid . . .";

". . . treason for capital and capitalists . . . ";

"... capital and men of enterprise . . . ";

"... capital and capitalists of today . . . ";

he seems to be expressing nonsensical animism and belief in magic — magic no less crude and thinking no less naive and childlike than that of the average man-on-the-street in his oft-stated conviction that "Money makes money," that "Dimes breed dollars," and suchlike popular aphorisms.

Hazy verbal expression usually implies foggy thinking, and this is as true of the "highbrow" as of the rest of us. When language fails to clarify thought it is probable that the thoughts of its user need clarifying.

Notes:

It's use of animism in describing the economy is suspect, but the same metaphors are used in real science as well.

Folksonomies: science pseudoscience magic animism

Taxonomies:
/finance/investing/venture capital (0.575788)
/hobbies and interests/magic and illusion (0.332617)
/hobbies and interests/reading (0.297230)

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Entities:
President:JobTitle (0.705522 (neutral:0.000000))

Concepts:
Mind (0.970002): dbpedia | freebase | opencyc
Thought (0.749792): dbpedia | freebase | opencyc
Cognition (0.743512): dbpedia | freebase | opencyc
Economics (0.723452): dbpedia | freebase | opencyc
Psychology (0.675464): dbpedia | freebase | opencyc
Critical thinking (0.549816): dbpedia | freebase | opencyc | yago
Cognitive science (0.535185): dbpedia | freebase | opencyc
Neopaganism (0.515285): dbpedia | yago

 Technocracy, First, Second and Third Series Social Universals
Books, Brochures, and Chapters>Book:  Smyth, Admiral William Henry (2010-08), Technocracy, First, Second and Third Series Social Universals, Nabu Press, Retrieved on 2013-11-08
  • Source Material [books.google.com]
  • Folksonomies: history transhumanism technocracy post-scarcity society


    Schemas

    27 DEC 2013

     Economics is Not Science

    It is more akin to alchemy and witchcraft, lacking in scientific rigour.
    Folksonomies: science scientific method
    Folksonomies: science scientific method
     5