Members: 
 
     So the question from Mary is, how does one distinguish one 
economics from another (neoclassical_typed_one from 
neoclassical_type_two)? 
 
     An economics has a unique notion of value and a unique mode of 
procedure.  Perhaps there could be two economics, each with the same 
notion of value and different modes of procedure.  For example, 
neoclassical economics assumes selfish, individual satisfaction to be 
the maximand.  John Rae assumed benevolence, rather than selfishness 
to be the operative motivation, and the satisfaction of both self and 
group to the the maximand.  Some economicses focus on maximizing 
within given constraints.  Others focus on maximizing by overcoming 
constraints. 
 
     As for Bernard Shaw: Economics is a discipline studying how 
people and societies may or may not (do or do not) get the most out of 
life, from a materialistic point of view.  Pursuit of Buddhist 
enlightenment is the art of getting the most out of life, and that has 
nothing to do with the discipline of Economics.