"Economics as a Social Science" challenges traditional economic theories by emphasizing that people have free will and are influenced by emotions, habits, and circumstances. The book argues that the standard assumptions in economics, like perfect rationality and self-interest, are flawed and that the market needs proper institutions to function well. It suggests that self-interest doesn't always benefit the greater good. The author, Andrew M. Kamarck, believes that economics should be based on a broader understanding of human behavior, drawing from history, psychology, and literature. The book aims to make economics more realistic and applicable to real-world situations.