Causal viewpoint and ensemble interpretation: from physics to the social sciences

Abstract

In this article, we assert that, for the construction of quantum physics -analogous (as opposed to quantum math -analogous) probabilistic models of the social (e.g. economics–financial) reality, the use of the notion of causality and the idea of an ensemble of similarly prepared systems in a socially analogous manner could be essential. We give plausibility arguments in favour of this assertion by considering two social situations describable in terms of discrete-time stochastic (i.e. Markov) processes. The first one is an arbitrary economics/financial context expressed as a temporal sequence of actualized social states (e.g. decisions, choices, preferences, etc.). The other one is more specific, involving a generic supply chain context. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Thermodynamics 2.0: Bridging the natural and social sciences (Part 1)’.