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But if we apply that thought to computer science. Would you argue we'd better stick to using Basic, because the concepts are easier than say Haskell? Those new

But if we apply that thought to computer science. Would you argue we'd better stick to using Basic, because the concepts are easier than say Haskell? Those new to the field would not appreciate why something is immutable and monadic, they are shut out. (Doesn't mean they can't churn out a simple form in VB). It's not reasonable to hold everyone hostage to the least common denominator. That only foster mediocrity. Thankfully computer science has not suffered much from this, and I don't think social sciences should be held back either.

kuschku 10y ago
Actually, that's exactly what we do. If you publish an algorithm in a paper, it's acceptable to do it in any language, pseudocode, as flowchart, structogram, etc. I've seen papers describing algorithms in Scheme, Haskell, but also in python before.
- algesten 10y ago
  There's a difference. You wouldn't expect some random person off the street to understand this algorithm even when expressed in simplified pseudocode. Similarly there's no reason to expect a random person off the street to understand the language of a modern philosophical book. Each field of study (social sciences and computer sciences) has its own domain specific language and concepts that requires some work to get your head around.
  - kuschku 10y ago
    Every child that finished high school would be expected to be able to understand any such book with only their own knowledge and an encyclopedia, though.
    - foldr 10y ago
      There speaks someone who's never done any teaching. Trust me, you would be amazed by what people who have finished high school can fail to understand.
      - kuschku 10y ago
        Well, I went to school in Germany - stuff's different here, ofc.
        foldr 10y ago
        Not sure what you mean. German high school education tends to be better than US high school education (though I'm not from the US), but you are nonetheless overestimating what a typical high school graduate is able to understand without lots of prodding. Most people find coding quite difficult to learn, which is why it is possible to make quite a good living doing it.

kuschku 10y ago

Actually, that's exactly what we do. If you publish an algorithm in a paper, it's acceptable to do it in any language, pseudocode, as flowchart, structogram, etc. I've seen papers describing algorithms in Scheme, Haskell, but also in python before.

algesten 10y ago
There's a difference. You wouldn't expect some random person off the street to understand this algorithm even when expressed in simplified pseudocode. Similarly there's no reason to expect a random person off the street to understand the language of a modern philosophical book. Each field of study (social sciences and computer sciences) has its own domain specific language and concepts that requires some work to get your head around.
- kuschku 10y ago
  Every child that finished high school would be expected to be able to understand any such book with only their own knowledge and an encyclopedia, though.
  - foldr 10y ago
    There speaks someone who's never done any teaching. Trust me, you would be amazed by what people who have finished high school can fail to understand.
    - kuschku 10y ago
      Well, I went to school in Germany - stuff's different here, ofc.
      - foldr 10y ago
        Not sure what you mean. German high school education tends to be better than US high school education (though I'm not from the US), but you are nonetheless overestimating what a typical high school graduate is able to understand without lots of prodding. Most people find coding quite difficult to learn, which is why it is possible to make quite a good living doing it.