Uselessly right or usefully wrong: the case for sharper theories in social science

‘ An enthusiastic philosopher… had constructed a very satisfactory theory on some subject or other and was not a little proud of it. "But the facts, my dear fellow," said his friend, "the facts do not agree with your theory."—"Don't they?" replied the philosopher, shrugging his shoulders, "then, tant pis pour les faits;"—so much the worse for the facts!” ― Charles Mackay, Extraordinary Popular…