Philosophy of Productivity Science

We need to think of 'Philosophy of Productivity Science.' That may help us in orderly development of productivity science.

What will be the content of Philosophy of Productivity Science?

A good discussion on the role of philosophy in empirical sciences.

Philosophers are not empirical researchers, and  they are not formal theory-builders.  So what is their role in developing philosophy of various empirical sciences? Their roles are:

First, philosophers are well prepared to examine the logical and rational features of an empirical discipline.  How do theoretical claims in the discipline relate to empirical evidence?  How do pragmatic features of theories such as simplicity, ease of computation, and the like, play a role in the rational appraisal of a theory?  How do presuppositions and traditions of research serve to structure the forward development of the theories and hypotheses of the discipline?  

Second, philosophers are well equipped to consider topics having to do with the concepts and theories that economists (in general empirical scientists) employ—for example in the case of economics, economic rationality, Nash equilibrium, perfect competition, transaction costs, or asymmetric information.  Philosophers can offer useful analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of such concepts and theories—thereby helping practicing scientists to further refine the theoretical foundations of their discipline.  In this role the philosopher serves as a conceptual clarifier for the discipline, working in partnership with the practitioners to bring about more successful  theories and explanations.

So the philosopher is described as having the role of an underlaborer of the scientists.   But in fact, the line between criticism and theory formation is not a sharp one.   Philosophical expertise can facilitate significant substantive progress with regard to important theoretical or empirical problems within the disciplines.

 In order to accomplish these goals, the philosopher of an empirical science must attain a professional and rigorous understanding of the discipline as it currently exists.  The most valuable work in the philosophy of any science proceeds from the basis of significant expertise on the part of the philosopher about the best practice in that discipline, contemporary debates, and future challenges of the discipline.  Only through such acquaintance will the philosopher succeed in raising topics that genuinely engage with important issues in the profession.

Adopted from 

http://www-personal.umd.umich.edu/~delittle/Encyclopedia%20entries/Philosophy%20of%20Economics.htm



Productivity Science - One Explanation

Productivity science is thus an approach to productivity measurement , analysis and improvement that attempts, in any specific situation, to identify the appropriate philosophy, culture, systems, processes, technology and methods that will maximize positive (social, environmental and economic) outcomes relative to the resources consumed.

“Productivity science is scientific effort, that in any specific work situation, identifies the appropriate philosophy, culture, systems, processes, technology, methods and human physical action and behavior and elements of each of them of that will maximize positive (social, environmental and economic) outcomes relative to the resources consumed.” - Narayana Rao (IISE 2020 Annual Conference Proceedings)


Updated on 9 January 2021, 1 January 2020
24 June 2019