Model homo oeconomicus. Geneza, ewolucja, wpływ na rzeczywistość gospodarczą
Model of Homo Oeconomicus. Its Origin, Evolution, and Influence on Economic Life

Author(s): Joanna Dzionek-Kozłowska
Subject(s): History, Economy, Supranational / Global Economy, Economic history, Business Ethics, Socio-Economic Research
Published by: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Łódzkiego
Keywords: Homo Oeconomicus; Economic Man; history of economic thought; reflexivity; performativity; John Stuart Mill; behavioural economics; economics imperialism; Das Adam Smith Problem; ekonomia polityczna; model człowieka gospodarującego; teoria ekonomii
Summary/Abstract: Model of homo oeconomicus (economic man) is one of the most popular ideas created in economic sciences. The concept coined by John S. Mill in the 1830s to define the scope of economics became a component of the “hard core” of the mainstream approach in the 20th century. At different points of its evolution, it has been assumed that economic man seeks for maximisation of wealth, profit, utility or preferences and in so doing he acts rationally. The monograph is a study of the origin and evolution of the model of homo oeconomicus and the criticism levelled at it. Additionally, the issue of an influence of the concept on economic reality is investigated. Such an attempt was inspired by the popularity of the idea of economic performativity and the voices raised by both the economists and the general public about the potential, negative impact of economic education on the attitudes of economics graduates. The research methods employed to accomplish such tasks are the texts’ exegesis, rational reconstruction and historical reconstruction (cf. Rorty 1984). In search of the factors influencing the evolution of homo oeconomicus model I benefit from both the absolutist and relativist approaches (Blaug 2000, 23–29; cf. Lakatos [1971] 1978, 118–121).

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