Human nature in the economic behavior based on the neoclassical economic model

We will approach in this article the question of human nature in economics. The traditional homo oeconomicus, as presented in mainstream economics, seems to represent the model of a perfect economic individual. We will question whether the fundamental coordinates of homo oeconomicus, rationality, se...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Ada MARINESCU
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: General Association of Economists from Romania 2016-12-01
Series:Theoretical and Applied Economics
Subjects:
Online Access: http://store.ectap.ro/articole/1233.pdf
_version_ 1818155522302410752
author Ada MARINESCU
author_facet Ada MARINESCU
author_sort Ada MARINESCU
collection DOAJ
description We will approach in this article the question of human nature in economics. The traditional homo oeconomicus, as presented in mainstream economics, seems to represent the model of a perfect economic individual. We will question whether the fundamental coordinates of homo oeconomicus, rationality, self-interest and selfishness, capture the essence of human beings and if there is an universal human nature. We propose a more flexible portrait of the economic individual, with insights from recent psychological research, and we suggest that it is society which shapes human nature and character. There is no fixed or inherited human nature. An environment of inequalities makes the individual act in a selfish and utilitarian way, while a more fair social organization would make individuals altruistic and more cooperative. Values are also missing from the traditional portrait of homo oeconomicus. Human beings do not simply and always pursuit optimization, but choose often guided by ethical considerations beyond utility calculus.
first_indexed 2024-12-11T14:43:44Z
format Article
id doaj.art-5dde11d437444ffbae3082dd044e607a
institution Directory Open Access Journal
issn 1841-8678
1844-0029
language English
last_indexed 2024-12-11T14:43:44Z
publishDate 2016-12-01
publisher General Association of Economists from Romania
record_format Article
series Theoretical and Applied Economics
spelling doaj.art-5dde11d437444ffbae3082dd044e607a2022-12-22T01:01:47ZengGeneral Association of Economists from RomaniaTheoretical and Applied Economics1841-86781844-00292016-12-01XXIII420321418418678Human nature in the economic behavior based on the neoclassical economic modelAda MARINESCU0 School of Advanced Studies of the Romanian Academy We will approach in this article the question of human nature in economics. The traditional homo oeconomicus, as presented in mainstream economics, seems to represent the model of a perfect economic individual. We will question whether the fundamental coordinates of homo oeconomicus, rationality, self-interest and selfishness, capture the essence of human beings and if there is an universal human nature. We propose a more flexible portrait of the economic individual, with insights from recent psychological research, and we suggest that it is society which shapes human nature and character. There is no fixed or inherited human nature. An environment of inequalities makes the individual act in a selfish and utilitarian way, while a more fair social organization would make individuals altruistic and more cooperative. Values are also missing from the traditional portrait of homo oeconomicus. Human beings do not simply and always pursuit optimization, but choose often guided by ethical considerations beyond utility calculus. http://store.ectap.ro/articole/1233.pdf neoclassical economicshuman naturehomo oeconomicusinequalityvalues
spellingShingle Ada MARINESCU
Human nature in the economic behavior based on the neoclassical economic model
Theoretical and Applied Economics
neoclassical economics
human nature
homo oeconomicus
inequality
values
title Human nature in the economic behavior based on the neoclassical economic model
title_full Human nature in the economic behavior based on the neoclassical economic model
title_fullStr Human nature in the economic behavior based on the neoclassical economic model
title_full_unstemmed Human nature in the economic behavior based on the neoclassical economic model
title_short Human nature in the economic behavior based on the neoclassical economic model
title_sort human nature in the economic behavior based on the neoclassical economic model
topic neoclassical economics
human nature
homo oeconomicus
inequality
values
url http://store.ectap.ro/articole/1233.pdf
work_keys_str_mv AT adamarinescu humannatureintheeconomicbehaviorbasedontheneoclassicaleconomicmodel