economics

There are two basic principles on which economics is based, and they are both false.

1. People act in their own best self-interest.
In fact, that doesn't always happen - it's demonstrable that people don't do this. They have social, personal, emotional reasons to behave otherwise, not even considering that "best self-interest" is impossible to define in terms that individuals experience.

2. All other things being equal, two products with different value will sell for different prices.
In fact, all other things are never equal. We live in a very complex world.

Once we accept these basic limitations of economics, we can use it to understand many things about the world. But pretending like it IS reality (instead of an imperfect model of reality), is like going into McDonald's with several business partners you're trying to impress, intending to sit down to a delicious steak dinner on white tablecloths with a vintage wine, topped off with a world-class bananas foster and a nightcap of port.