Freakonomics provides insights into understanding societal issues through economics by demonstrating how economic principles can be applied to analyze and solve complex problems. It shows how incentives, both economic and social, drive behavior and influence outcomes in various aspects of society. By studying real-world examples, the book offers a unique perspective on how economic reasoning can help uncover the underlying factors contributing to societal issues like crime rates, education disparities, and political dynamics. Through its analysis of incentives and human behavior, Freakonomics sheds light on the interconnectedness between economics and social phenomena, offering valuable insights into addressing societal challenges through an economic lens.