The inapplicability principle: What chaos means for social science

Abstract

Some basic terms in chaos theory are reviewed and some of their broad possible implications for Galilean science are briefly discussed. The main conclusion is that there are regions of scientific research within which the Galilean Principles of Model Building, the extensive use of prediction for refining and testing, do not apply. Some consequences are explored, notably that while social science may be possible, social engineering is a much more dubious enterprise.