ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the solutions that can be found on the basis of the dominant, neoclassical approach in economic science. It explains the developments in the other social sciences with a special emphasis on semiotics. The nonparadigmatic nature of these sciences calls for solutions other than those offered by a new economics of science. The chapter offers thoughts on an alternative manner for handling the problem of scientific communication that can be called “transactional.” The reasoning in terms of asymmetric information suggests a way in which to reduce costs of communication in science. The arts, humanities, and social sciences have their own “imperialistic” plans for facilitating communication in science. Communication is then understood as a man-to-man relation in the course of the interpretation of signs, with the outcome being an agreement on what constitutes reality. The necessity of communication can be demonstrated with the help of both the negative and positive arguments.
