Economics is a science of wealth

Q. “Economics is the study of mankind in the ordinary business of life.” Discuss the statement (Dec’12).

Or. “Economics is a science of wealth.” Discuss (May’12, Dec'13).

Alfred Marshall provides a still widely-cited definition in his textbook Principles of Economics (1890) that extends analysis beyond wealth and from the societal to the macroeconomic level:

"Economics is a study of man's action in the ordinary business of life it inquires how he gets his income and how he uses it. It examines that part of individual and social actions which is mostly closely connected with the attainment and with the use of material requisites of well being. Thus economics is on one side a study of wealth and on the other and important side a part of the study of man ".

From the definition of economics by Alfred Marshall, we see that he lays emphasizes on the below points.

1. Study of an ordinary man: According to Alfred Marshall, economics is that study of an ordinary man who lives in society. It is not concerned with the lives of only rich persons or who is cut away from the society. Its subject matter is a particular aspect of human behaviour i.e. earning and spending of incomes for the normal material needs of human beings.

2. Economics is not a useless study of wealth: Economics does not regard wealth as the be-all and end-all of economics activities wealth is not of primary importance. It is earned only for promoting human welfare economics is studied to analyze the causes of material prosperity of individuals and nations.

3. Economics is a social science: It does not study the behaviour of isolated individuals but the actions of persons living in society. When people live together they interact and cooperate to work at firms, factories, shop and offices to produce and exchange goods or services. The problems about these activities are studied in economics.

4. Study of material welfare: According to Alfred Marshall, economics studies only material requisites of well being or causes of material welfare. It is cleared from this definition that it is materialistic aspect and ignores non-material aspects. Alfred Marshall stressed that the man’s behaviour and activities to produce and consume maximum number of goods and services are the main object of study wealth is not an end or final aim, but only a means to achieve a higher objective of welfare.