This book is based on an in-depth filmed conversation between Howard Burton and Brian Epstein, Associate Professor of Philosophy at Tufts University. Brian Epstein’s career as a management consultant piqued his interest and his later research into the reasons why our current models of economics, politics and other areas of social science so often go terribly wrong. The conversation explores how we can dramatically improve our current economic and political models by reexamining our assumptions about the nature of the social world. This carefully-edited book includes an introduction, The Real World, and questions for discussion at the end of each chapter: I. Wondering About the World - A philosophical journey II. Empirical Influences - From management consultancy to metaphysics III. Unquestioned Assumptions - The cult of the individual IV. Beyond Emergence - A Supreme Value V. Ontological Examinations - Grounding and anchoring VI. Better Models - Beyond agent-based thinking VII. Modelling Concerns - Fear of mushiness VIII. Getting Specific - Modelling corruption IX. No, We Can’t - The impact of a small political gene pool X. Responses and Reactions - The good, the bad, and the ugly XI. The Value of Breadth - Appreciating the humanities XII. Learning Our Lessons? - Or perhaps not XIII. Applied Philosophy - The “social turn” About Ideas Roadshow Conversations: Presented in an accessible, conversational format, Ideas Roadshow books not only explore frontline academic research but also reveal the inspirations and personal journeys behind the research.