Definition of Economics
In very broad terms, economics is about choices that people make under conditions of scarcity. However,
some other disciplines, including engineering, computer science, operations research, and management
information systems, are also about choices made under scarcity.
Economics, more specifically, is mainly about interactions between people, groups, organizations, and institutions,
for the ultimate purpose of producing or acquiring goods and services. Human interactions make economics a social
science, as distinct from engineering and computer science. Underlying these interactions is the prevailing
condition of scarce resources.
For comments on this definition of economics, I'd be happy to receive your e-mail via the economics department website.