Human Ethics and Virtues: Rethinking the Homo-Economicus Model

Sanjit Dhami

No 6836, CESifo Working Paper Series from CESifo

Abstract: The neoclassical model in economics envisages humans as amoral and self-regarding (Econs). This model, also known as the homo-economicus model, is not consistent with the empirical evidence. In light of the evidence, the continued use of the homo-economicus model is baffling. It also stymies progress in the field by putting the burden of adjustment on auxiliary assumptions that need to compensate for an unrealistic picture of human motivation and behavior. This essay briefly outlines the evidence for a more inclusive picture of humans in which ethics and morality play a central role. It argues for replacing the homo-economicus model with a homo-behavioralis model that has already enabled great progress to be made in the field of behavioral economics.

Keywords: ethics; morality; intrinsic motivation; consequentialistic choices; lying-aversion; guilt-aversion; markets and morality; moral balancing; self-image; self-serving justifications; partial lying; third party punishment; delegation; social identity; moral suasion (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D64 D90 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-evo, nep-hme, nep-hpe, nep-pke and nep-upt
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ces:ceswps:_6836

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