Economics

judgement. In case of pure and positive science the analysis isconfined to cause and effect relationship. In other words,

it states‘what is and not what ought to be.’

It is said economics is not tosuggest but simply state in terms of cause and effect relations andleave the matter of choice to the individual concerned whether itsuits his requirements or not.

Positive aspect of economics:

Neutrality between Ends.

According to Robbins economics is concerned only with thestudy of the economic decisions of individuals and the society as positive facts but not with the ethics of these decisions.Economics should be neutral between ends. Neutrality betweenends denotes lack of concerns about objectives or goals, whichmay be solid or otherwise. It is not for economists to pass value judgements and make pronouncements on the goodness or otherwise of human decisions. An individual with a limitedamount of money may use it for buying liquor and not milk, butthat is entirely his business. Economists only studies facts andmake generalizations from them. It is a pure and positive science,which excludes from its scope the normative aspect of human behavior.Complete neutrality between ends is neither feasible nor desirable. It is not possible because in many matters theeconomist have to suggest measures for achieving certain sociallydesirable ends. He advocates the adoption of certain policies for increasing employment and raising the rates of wages. When hemakes these proposals, he is making value judgements.

(ii) Normative Approach:

If economics is a normative science itwould work for finding out and prescribing certain course of action which is desirable and necessary to achieve certain socialgoals. The focus in such a case would be on welfare of the peopleand how best it can be achieved. Opinions differ whether

economics should suggest and prescribe. There is a very strongopinion in favour of its fruit-giving aspect....