Making Decisions

The video discusses the distinction between social and natural sciences, emphasizing the interpretive role of social sciences. It critiques the reliance on reified concepts for policy-making and highlights the necessity of 'rough and ready' generalizations for decision-making. The video also addresses the misinterpretation of these generalizations by social scientists and policymakers, urging a more nuanced understanding.

What is the primary role of social sciences according to the speaker?

• To create technological advancements

• To predict future events

• To engage in interpretive acts of understanding

• To discover natural laws

Why does the speaker believe policymakers need to use rough and ready generalizations?

• To ensure decisions are always correct

• To simplify complex scientific truths

• To make intelligible choices in the absence of clear patterns

• To avoid using any scientific models

What is the speaker's view on the use of social science models in policy making?

• They should be treated as absolute truths

• They should be used only in natural sciences

• They should be seen as useful heuristics

• They should be completely disregarded

How do many social scientists treat the knowledge they offer, according to the speaker?

• As irrelevant to policy making

• As rough and ready oversimplifications

• As completely unrelated to intentionality

• As precise and accurate

What is a common mistake policymakers make regarding social science generalizations?

• They ignore them completely

• They treat them as scientific truths

• They use them only for natural sciences

• They always question their validity