Do evil people have to say explicitly that they're evil for them to be evil? No, our actions can speak louder than our words. That's what it says on the side of police cars where I live: "Deeds speak."

So whether economists confess that this is the implication of their method or of their message, or that this is the impression their mathematical method leaves on society is neither here nor there. That's a psychological question about the economist's degree of self-awareness, or it's an ethical question about his or her honesty.

If economics doesn't offer exact knowledge, why use so much math in economics? What's all the math for if not to make economics seem like physics with its world-famous precision and rigour? What's the average person supposed to think here? And why wouldn't economists want to leave that impression? You're aware that the exact sciences are prestigious, right?

Yes, those articles were about management consultants. Part of management is finances, and that's where economists would come in. Who says real-world businesses have to respect academic distinctions? McKinsey hires economists, for example, as the link below shows.

As for that tidbit, it assumes that the efficient market hypothesis predominates in economics. Are you conceding that too now?

https://www.mckinsey.com/careers/search-jobs/jobs/analysteconomist-vivideconomics-54791