Please read the following for a definition of a "wicked" social problem.
Rittel and Webber, 1973, Dilemmas in a General Theory of Planning
Abstract
The search for scientific bases for confronting problems of social policy is bound to fail, because of the nature of these problems. They are “wicked” problems, whereas science has developed to deal with “tame” problems. Policy problems cannot be definitively defined. Moreover, in a pluralistic society, there is nothing like the indisputable public good; there is no objective definition of equity; policies that respond to social problems cannot be meaningfully correct or false; and it makes no sense to talk about “optimal solutions” to social problems unless severe qualifications are imposed first. Even worse, there are no “solutions” in the sense of definitive and objective answers.
Paul: I like this definition of a 'wicked social problem':
"A wicked problem is a social or cultural problem that is difficult or impossible to solve for as many as four reasons: incomplete or contradictory knowledge, the number of people and opinions involved, the large economic burden, and the interconnected nature of these problems with other problems..."
Link: https://www.wickedproblems.com/1_wicked_problems.php
Examples include poverty and income inequality.
I think in a market economy, we can use economics to help understand these social problems and reduce their negative effects. The challenge is these social problems have many causes. There are many factors that contribute to poverty. There are many factors that result in an income gap.
When there are many causes, it is very difficult to identify and implement a solution to a complex social problem.
On RG, there is much naive and simple-minded discussion about solving social problems, such as poverty and climate change. There is strong support for scientism, the mistaken and unfounded belief that "science" can solve all of our social problems. I wish to stress the idea of "wicked" problem to make people realize the impotence and perhaps irrelevance of science for solving many of our problems. The paper on wicked problem was published in 1973!!! Imagine, and we still are making no progress......
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