Today we refer to economics as a social science. However, many years ago different mathematicians and economists defined economics in different ways, and below are just a few examples.
In the very early 19th century a man called Thomas Carlyle, who was a mathematician and a teacher, defined economics as the 'dismal science'. This is because the Utopian people believed that good results were the cause of good motives and vice versa. Naturally, economists disagreed with this statement.
Later on in the 19th century, Englishman W Stanley Jevons, who was an economist and logician, defined economics as "the mechanics of utility and self interest". Next was Alfred Marshall, who at the turn of the century defined economics as "A study of mankind in the ordinary business of life."
Another English economist of the 20th century was Lionel Robbins. He said "Economics is a science that deals with the study of human behavior as a relationship between ends and scarce means which have alternative uses."
These are just a few examples of how early-day economics was defined; you will find a lot more information on economics and its definitions on the internet, simply go to a good search engine like Google and type in your question.
In the very early 19th century a man called Thomas Carlyle, who was a mathematician and a teacher, defined economics as the 'dismal science'. This is because the Utopian people believed that good results were the cause of good motives and vice versa. Naturally, economists disagreed with this statement.
Later on in the 19th century, Englishman W Stanley Jevons, who was an economist and logician, defined economics as "the mechanics of utility and self interest". Next was Alfred Marshall, who at the turn of the century defined economics as "A study of mankind in the ordinary business of life."
Another English economist of the 20th century was Lionel Robbins. He said "Economics is a science that deals with the study of human behavior as a relationship between ends and scarce means which have alternative uses."
These are just a few examples of how early-day economics was defined; you will find a lot more information on economics and its definitions on the internet, simply go to a good search engine like Google and type in your question.