But philosophically--I dont think that maximization is necessary for work to be economics. You will have to decide this on your own A final point about the definition of the discipline Neville Keynes'(and Milton Friedman's)distinction of the field into positive and normative economics is useful Positive economics-why the world looks the way that it does Normative economics -how the world can be improved Both areas are necessary and sometimes merge perfectly but I for one, see my job description as trying to understand the world around meBut philosophically—I don’t think that maximization is necessary for work to be economics. You will have to decide this on your own. A final point about the definition of the discipline— Neville Keynes’ (and Milton Friedman’s) distinction of the field into positive and normative economics is useful. Positive economics—why the world looks the way that it does. Normative economics—how the world can be improved. Both areas are necessary and sometimes merge perfectly, but I for one, see my job description as trying to understand the world around me