Behavioralism - Sorting Through the Wealth of Notions

• social science requires theories that are logically consistent
• formal techniques facilitate the construction of precise and deductively sound arguments, the formal language of mathematics can impart greater precision to an argument, and helps guard against inconsistencies
• theories have to be precise, logically consistent, original, and empirically valid
←←how the rational choice approach to security studies contributes significantly in these ways?
Three criteria for evaluating social science theories:
• logical consistency (takes precedence over the other two)
• degree of originality
• empirical validity.

A theory, in terms of logic, consists of a system of assumptions and conclusions derived from those assumptions. A logical inconsistency exists when two mutually contradictory statements can be derived from the assumptions of a theory
→-Logical inconsistencies deny the possibility of a theory having empirical content -any conclusion can be derived when a logical inconsistency exists, and so the choice of which conclusion use for policy purposes falls entirely on the tastes or prejudices of the party making the prescription