In an ongoing debate I am having with someone, the subject of Operations Research (OR) was brought up as an example of why mathematics (particularly calculus and the like) are important and necessary to economics. What are the Austrian thoughts (if any) on this subject and what does it mean for the role of mathematical models in economics?
‘OR’ are just tools that managers and entrepeneurs might use, arent they?
like say, pens and pencils, computer, a method of accounting, a policy of appropriate work attire etc.
so, i suppose all those things are equally as necessary or important to economics.
i didnt know what OR was before you mentioned it and i read a brief desciption on wiki, so this is just a first response, i can stand to be correct on this 
That was kind of my thoughts on it, but I don’t know. What it has to do with the “validity” of mathematical models of economics I am unsure. Admittedly, I don’t know a whole lot about OR, but from the gist of it, it seems like it has more to do with physical inventory management and the like than it does with human actions or behavior, but idk. Of course, the champions of orthodox mathematical economics will probably point to OR’s success (not sure how much it has had) as how needed and useful mathematical models are to economics.
yes, but we shift the burden of proof to them that mathematics is key to good economics; because this is quite different from granting its use in finance;management;invention;production.