What is the core element of Samuelson's definition of economics?

The core element of Paul Samuelson's definition of economics is the study of how society allocates its scarce resources among competing uses. He emphasized the importance of understanding both the behavior of individuals and the overall functioning of economies in relation to resource distribution, production, and consumption. Samuelson's approach integrates microeconomic and macroeconomic perspectives, highlighting the interplay between individual choices and broader economic outcomes.