dave1949
Super Star Member
Throughout this thread, I have attempted to maintain a laissez-faire posture regarding the various pallet factions. However, I felt compelled at times to point out the lack of scientific merit of some pallet theories.
My hope was that eventually someone would have an epiphany and realize that the only scientific explanation must come from economic theory. It turns out that Wagtail and Dave have stumbled upon the idea that economics are at work. Had I made that claim at the outset, the wisdom of my claim may have been ignored.
As is well known, economic theory can be used to explain all of human behavior.* In addition, the theory also explains some animal behaviors (Economic Choice Theory Experimental Analysis Animal Behavior :: Microeconomics :: Cambridge University Press).
Steve
Your reticence to rush into tooting your own horn is well-founded. Surely Steve, this cannot be representative of the current state of economic science studies?
In the hopes of a breakthrough, I eagerly read the description of your referenced text. What I found was somewhat disturbing to say the least.
I noted some of the more egregious examples below:
The authors begin by comparing animals to humans!
"This book details the results of the authors' research using laboratory animals to investigate individual choice theory in economics: consumer-demand and labor-supply behavior and choice under uncertainty."
The use of "precise" and "demanding" in the same sentence with "economic theory", while freely admitting to animal cruelty, is beyond the pale.
"The use of laboratory animals provides the opportunity to conduct controlled experiments involving precise and demanding tests of economic theory with rewards and punishments of real consequence."
The reviewer, who apparently has not yet mastered the use of spell checker, wants us to believe their opinion that this is a "fscinating" book?
"This is a fscinating book."
The authors, economists who have spent a lifetime sequestered among their lab rats and pigeons, are by now so delusional that they actually proposition the rats!
... the authors report the results of years of research testing the basic propositions of economic theory on animals, primarily rats and pigeons...
The authors will surely profit more than the reader.
Who should read this book? As indicated previously it can be read profitably by students in introductory courses.
A reference is made to an entity whose existence is tentative.
"Any economist willing to consider truly original and creative applications of economic theory and experimental methodology should be intrigued by this book..."
Reviewer speak for "I cannot believe this book was published."
"... one cannot help but marvel at the ability of a theory which was developed by introspective consideration of how we make choices to explain complicated behavior of other species."
There is a money angle to the pallets, of that we may be sure. Whether it is explained by economic theory cannot be answered by this text. Have you located any treatises that deal with galactic economic theory? How may we assume that aliens, should they be involved in the pallet mystery, are driven by the same passions as humans, rats and pigeons?
