Most sociological mathematical models are formed by thinking about the relationships involved qualitatively, then building models that are simple, have those qualitative aspects, and can be worked with.
Most sociological mathematical models are also total crap.
Then you can gather data, compare the models to the data, and revise the models.
Repeat until your model has enough free parameters to be unfalsifiable.
It doesn’t add anything useful to the conversation,
Yes it does. It is (often) a negation of the previous assertion—in this case just the implied suggestion that sociological mathematical models are useful. To the extent that said assertion can be said to be a contribution the rejection of it can too.
Most sociological mathematical models are also total crap.
Repeat until your model has enough free parameters to be unfalsifiable.
Downvoted.
I am disappointed in the LW community every time I see a comment consisting primarily of: ” is crap.”
It doesn’t add anything useful to the conversation, or propose any solutions or ideas. It is just plain rude. Please stop.
We can do better than that.
Yes it does. It is (often) a negation of the previous assertion—in this case just the implied suggestion that sociological mathematical models are useful. To the extent that said assertion can be said to be a contribution the rejection of it can too.